Chief Inspector's Update 2021-2024

24. Northern Ireland does not have its own Fire Service Inspectorate, and whilst HMFSI has no statutory standing or powers outwith Scotland, there is a long-established professional relationship between HMFSI and the Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland. HM Chief Inspector(s) of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have been asked to provide advice to DoH on several occasions since this relationship was first established.

25. In 2022 the DoH requested that the Chief Inspector carry out an independent inspection of Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and report on same.

26. This inspection ran for six months and required additional resources to be put in place to supplement the HMFSI team. The report, containing a total of eleven recommendations, was presented to the Permanent Secretary for Health in Northern Ireland in August 2023. The Chief Fire and Rescue Officer and the Board of the NIFRS welcomed the report and accepted its recommendations in full.