Inspectors praise Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service for response to Covid pandemic

Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered a national inspection programme to review how local services were responding to the pandemic.

While the overall findings have been described as “political and biased attack on firefighters” by the Fire Brigades Union, inspectors were largely complimentary about Derbyshire’s response.

Writing to service bosses, Inspector Zoe Billingham said: “The availability of on-call firefighters and fire appliances increased, and response times improved.

“The service was able to continue with most of its protection work, using desktop reviews and other forms of remote working. However, the service reduced the amount of prevention activity it did, stopping most face-to-face safe and well visits – though it did offer phone consultations to those at highest risk.”

She also praised firefighters for stepping driving ambulances and running delivery services for vulnerable residents and health services, and the management of finances, resources and staff wellbeing.

The report recommended DFRS consider how new ways of working might be maintained beyond the pandemic, and that its plans for extended events like a pandemic be reviewed to ensure all statutory duties were upheld.

Councillor Kevin Buttery, chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority for Derbyshire, said: “Like every public sector organisation, the fire and rescue service has had to continue working to provide an effective service to the communities they serve throughout the pandemic. I have been both proud and assured to see how quickly DFRS adapted.”

He added: “As we look beyond the pandemic it is important that we continue to consider the report findings and carry the lessons learned into the future.”

Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson said: “The pandemic continues to require a fast paced response as we adapt to new information and adjust our practices to ensure we can provide an effective emergency service.

“Our staff have been simply outstanding and I must acknowledge each and every one of them.”

To read the full report, go to https://bit.ly/3qUoJ9Q.

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