Organisational Culture in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

How this inspection was carried out

The purpose of this inspection was to make an assessment of the organisational culture that exists within the SFRS.

An inquiry by the Inspectorate can be self-directed or can be subject to direction by Scottish Ministers. This inquiry into the SFRS is self-directed by the Chief Inspector, Robert Scott QFSM The following persons also contributed to the Inspection and to the report:

Robert Scott QFSM, Chief Inspector

Graeme Fraser, Assistant Inspector

Lynne Gow (SFRS Secondee)

Shirley Hartridge (SFRS Secondee)

We are grateful to Professor Paresh Wankhade of Edge Hill University, and Mark Cashin QFSM DL, retired Chief Officer of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, for agreeing to provide advice, quality assurance peer review and academic rigour to our inspection process.

The decision to carry out this inspection was intelligence-led and risk-based, influenced by the importance of the subject area.

Methodology

This inspection has involved different methods of evidence gathering and analysis:

• a desk top data review of documents and data supplied by the SFRS. The Service initially provided in excess of 400 pieces of evidence. We undertook a sense check and assessment of the content of procedural documents and compared these to statutory code of practice and industry standards
• face-to-face and virtual interviews with SFRS staff who are responsible for the development of policy and their implementation
• a series of interviews with SFRS managers and leaders to gauge the awareness of and implementation of these policies and their ease of use in practice
• face-to-face and virtual interviews with SFRS staff at various SFRS workplaces to obtain their views on the Service’s communications, values and general culture
• HMFSI had intended to undertake a survey of SFRS staff as part of this inspection. However, the SFRS was of the view that doing so would have an impact on the Service’s own plans to carry out a survey. Therefore, we parked our survey plans to avoid duplication of effort and we accessed and made reference to the results of the Service’s survey.