In August 2020, the HMICFRS were commissioned by the Home Secretary to inspect how fire and rescue services in England responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The review examined the Brigade’s preparation for a pandemic, their ability to respond effectively and continue prevention and protection work. It also looked at the health and wellbeing of staff, adaptability to changing the way it works and effective partnership working.
The report highlights how Cleveland Fire Brigade was quick to adapt and respond. This included new ways of working, health and wellbeing of the local community and staff, working with partners and having good working arrangements in place to protect local people.
Work carried out by the Brigade in the first three months of the pandemic included delivering vital PPE equipment, sending food parcels to the vulnerable and providing training for care home staff in infection control.
Read the Report
COVID-19 inspection: Cleveland Fire Brigade (HTML)
State of Fire and Rescue
This is the HMICFRS report to the Secretary of State under section 28B of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004. It contains assessment of the sector in England, based on the inspections which were carried out during 2020. This report draws on findings from inspections in the 45 fire and rescue services in England, to provide an overall view of the state of the fire and rescue sector.
State of Fire and Rescue: The Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services in England 2020 (HTML)
Responding to the pandemic
The inspections examined these areas:
- what is working well and what is being learnt;
- how the fire and rescue sector is responding to the COVID-19 crisis;
- how fire and rescue services are dealing with the problems they face; and
- what changes are likely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The national report shows our overall findings on the sector’s preparation and response to the pandemic.
The 44 individual national service letters below give detailed findings and focus areas for improvement for each fire and rescue service.
