Fire & Rescue Inspection

FRS 2023-25 CoC Recommendations: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Published 22 May 2025

Cause of Concern recommendations tracked by HMICFRS for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (2023-25)

6
Recommendations
0
Completed
National — applies to all forces
Recommendations (6)
# Recommendation Directed at Status
F1 Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of prioritising its home safety visits to those most at risk and make sure there are clear timescales in place for the different risk levels. Recommendation: Within 28 days of receiving the draft report, the service should develop an action plan to: • create and maintain clear timeframes relative to risk; Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Open
F2 Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of prioritising its home safety visits to those most at risk and make sure there are clear timescales in place for the different risk levels. Recommendation: Within 28 days of receiving the draft report, the service should develop an action plan to: • evaluate its prevention work (particularly home safety visits), so it understands the benefits better. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Open
F3 Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of prioritising its home safety visits to those most at risk and make sure there are clear timescales in place for the different risk levels. Recommendation: Within 28 days of receiving the draft report, the service should develop an action plan to: • make sure it quality assures its prevention activity, so staff (including wholetime firefighters) carry out home safety visits to an appropriate standard. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Open
F4 Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of prioritising its home safety visits to those most at risk and make sure there are clear timescales in place for the different risk levels. Recommendation: Within 28 days of receiving the draft report, the service should develop an action plan to: • make sure its supporting systems provide an accurate picture of prevention-related community risk, so that staff can prioritise the most vulnerable people. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Open
F5 Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of prioritising its home safety visits to those most at risk and make sure there are clear timescales in place for the different risk levels. Recommendation: Within 28 days of receiving the draft report, the service should develop an action plan to: • make sure there is a clear process for post-incident prevention activity. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Open
F6 Cause of concern: The executive board recognises it needs to do more in prevention. But not enough progress has been made since our last inspection to make prevention a sufficiently high priority for the service. The service should implement a robust and consistent method of prioritising its home safety visits to those most at risk and make sure there are clear timescales in place for the different risk levels. Recommendation: Within 28 days of receiving the draft report, the service should develop an action plan to: • review whether wholetime firefighters can offer more capacity to prevention and complete higher-risk home safety visits. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Open