Review of progress against recommendations within the Independent Inspection of Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Report 2023

His Majesty’s Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland (HMFSI) is a statutory body that operates within, but entirely independent of, the Scottish Government. The Inspectorate exists to provide independent, risk based, and proportionate professional inspection of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). It performs an important role in the overall governance of the SFRS providing assurance to the Scottish Public and Ministers that the SFRS is working in an efficient and effective way, meeting its statutory responsibilities and delivering Best Value.

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

In June 2022, following concerns raised around the operation of the NIFRS, the DoH (supported by the Board of NIFRS) recognised the need for independent, experienced, professional scrutiny and commissioned the Chief Inspector to lead a formal inspection of NIFRS.

The final report was published in September 2023⁽¹⁾ and contained eleven recommendations and a number of areas for consideration by the DoH and the Board and Executive Leadership Team of NIFRS.

The report was accepted in its entirety and the recommendations were considered fully and work undertaken to deliver against these.

The original report was the product of a very thorough inspection carried out by a team of four subject matter experts who examined a range of relevant themes. The team worked tirelessly for over six months and visited every fire station in NIFRS and engaged with a full range of staff operating across a variety of functions in support of the Service.

It is important to stress that this review is not intended to replicate that work. It is instead provided to offer an independent view of progress made against the eleven recommendations in the 2023 report, and where appropriate, to offer sector competent advice on next steps that might be considered to ensure the Service can continue to move forward in a positive direction.