More needs to be done on fire prevention (Image: PA)
A senior inspector says Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) "needs to do more to prevent fires and other risks".
HM Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services, Roy Wilsher, said that, although he is satisfied with the service when it comes to keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks, it needs to improve in a number of areas.
His report, released today (Friday, May 23), highlights the case of a resident who died in a blaze at a time when DSFRS had a backlog of 7,000 home visits.
It said: "A fatal fire review revealed that despite historic engagement, the service hadn't made a home safety visit to an individual who was on the backlog list.
"Months later, before a visit was made, the occupant died in a fire."
Mr Wilsher graded three aspects of DSFRS's work as good, three as adequate, but five requiring improvement.
He said: "We found that the service hasn't made enough progress since our 2021 inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority.
"We have therefore highlighted a case of concern.
"The executive board knows it needs to do more and there are plans in place to improve this."
"Necessary improvements" have been made to the organisation's culture, although there is "still more work to be done" to challenge inappropriate behaviour."
Mr Wilsher added: "We recognise that the service has experienced some changes in senior leadership roles...but we were disappointed to find that the service hasn't made the progress we expected since our 2021 inspection."
DSFRS is good at responding to emergencies, has sound financial plans and understands future financial challenges, says the report.
But it needs to prioritise home safety visits to people most at risk and hasn't made enough progress in equality, diversity and inclusion, while staff don't have confidence in the grievance or promotions processes.
"Overall, there is a clear commitment from staff and senior leader to improve.
"The service is aware of the many issues we found and had plans in place to make improvements."
Chief welcomes report aspects
Gavin Ellis, chief fire officer for DSFRS, welcomed aspects of the report and said there is "a great foundation to keep on improving".
He added: "It's great to see our emergency response praised. It's important to us that when people call 999, they get a good service.
"Operational colleagues from across the service work hard every day to maintain cover and competency so that they're ready should anyone in our communities need them.
"We're pleased that our work to improve culture across the organisation has been recognised and the cause of concern removed. We know we still have more to do to ensure our culture is consistent across the organisation and to better support our people to develop and thrive.
But concerns remain, Mr. Ellis added.
"Regrettably, the inspectorate has issued a cause of concern about our prevention activities.
"Preventing emergencies is a huge focus for the organisation and our people are dedicated to keeping people safe.
"The recommendations made are process issues and we have already acted to ensure we are better at targeting our prevention work and evaluating its effectiveness.
"Our latest analysis shows that 85 per cent of the referrals we receive from partners are from people who are either high or very high risk.
"Overall, we have a great foundation to keep on improving. The inspectorate recognised the service's self-awareness and commitment of our staff and senior leaders to improve."
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