Best ever inspection report for Bedfordshire fire service but culture rated Inadequate
Bedfordshire’s fire service has improved its core services according to its latest inspection report.
The report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was published following an inspection in summer 2025.
The report judges Bedford Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) as “Good” in the areas of understanding fire and risk, preventing fire and risk, public safety through fire regulation, and responding to major incidents.
The areas of responding to fires and other emergencies, and ensuring fairness and diversity were judged to be Adequate. Making best use of resources to provide and efficient and affordable service, leading people effectively, and training and developing the right people with the right skills were all areas which Require Improvements. The service was judged as Inadequate for promoting, embedding and improving values and culture.
Chief Fire Officer, Andy Hopkinson, said: “When it comes to improving public safety, this is the best inspection report we’ve ever had. We have delivered on our commitment to improve public safety and our communities are getting a better service as we perform better than ever before.
“The hard work and dedication of our staff mean what we’re doing is delivering improvements. We have made steps forward in many areas and have turned some previous areas for improvement into good practice and excellence. We know there are things we must do better and the improvements set out in the report will be addressed as a priority over the next two years.”
The report acknowledges and praises how the service has changed its approach to risk preparedness, understanding and management, which, the CFO said, will only get better as the service become more focused than ever before on adapting the Service to meet the changing risks and needs of Bedfordshire.
Cllr Jacqui Burnett, Chair of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “When the last report was published two and a half years ago, the service required improvement in a number of areas concerning public safety. I told the Chief and made it clear to the leadership team that their focus needed to be on improving public safety through better prevention, protection and response.
"This is what is most important to the people of Bedfordshire and has the greatest impact on our communities. I am thrilled the leadership and hard work of staff has meant the Service has delivered on its promise, improved these areas and is delivering a better service for Bedfordshire.”
The past two years has seen BFRS deliver financial savings and efficiencies whilst meet its emergency response times, increase its targeting of safety visits to the most vulnerable and improve the way it works with businesses to keep premises safe.
There has been a significant shift in the way the Service approaches people-related issues, policies and processes in the past year too, which has built sound foundations for what is to be improved and developed in the coming year.
Mr Hopkinson added: “The more challenging culture and leadership areas highlighted in this report come as no surprise. We had already identified what needed to change and initiated action before the inspectorate came in and some of the feedback validates our work is justified and on the right track. We recognise where we need to grow, and continuing to invest in our culture and leaders will help ensure everyone in the organisation feels engaged, respected and valued.
“Our next steps are important; they focus on continuing to deliver core services for our community, prepare for the future with our upcoming community risk management plan (CRMP) and keep ourselves accountable for driving improvement.”