The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has made considerable improvements in its performance since its last inspection, according to the latest report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The brigade was graded as “outstanding” in its response to major and multi-agency incidents. This performance assessment follows a previous report in 2022 that found the service “institutionally misogynistic and racist,” resulting in the brigade being placed under special measures.
The HMICFRS graded the LFB’s performance in 11 areas, finding that the brigade was “good” or “adequate” in nine areas but still required improvement in managing staff performance and developing staff with leadership potential. The report also noted the brigade’s quick response to fires with a good system in place for prioritising home fire safety visits. Although the brigade was praised for national counterterrorism efforts, the report highlighted the need for a more diverse workforce and building staff trust and confidence in processes to deal with poor behaviour.
LFB Commissioner, Andy Roe, confirmed that the report demonstrated the significant changes that the brigade had implemented in the past two years, transforming the culture across the organisation. He acknowledged that there will always be poor behaviour while declaring-transparently-clear standards and holding people to them with rigour was a clear way to mitigate the effects of poor conduct. Roe noted that more disciplinary and misconduct action had been taken against internally for the service’s poor behaviour’s history. In addition, the report highlighted that all the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s 29 recommendations had been implemented, ensuring that people were kept safe and secure from fire and other risks.
Sadiq Kahn, the Mayor of London, said that the report was “good news for London”. HMICFRS inspector Lee Freeman expressed his pleasure in finding improvements in LFB’s performance since the last inspection while highlighting the need for improvements in staff development, high potential identification, and individual performance management.
Overall, the LFB’s diversion from the criticisms made in the 2022 report, which had resulted in the brigade being placed in special measures, indicates that the brigade has a better grasp of its culture and improved its processes to deliver consistent improvement in its operations
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