A new report from a safety inspector has revealed that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service needs to make urgent improvements to its performance.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is the body responsible for inspecting fire brigades in England came to the conclusion that North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service 'required improvement' at effectively keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.

In its last inspection in 2018/19 the fire service was rated 'good' in one area, and 'requires improvement' in two others. The latest report sees North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue dropping to 'requires improvement' in one area, and 'inadequate' - the lowest possible rating - in two areas.

Read more: Shock and anger after firefighters attacked with petrol bombs and glass bottles

Fire services are evaluated in different areas which are categorised under the titles of effectiveness in relation to performance, efficiency for financial performance, and people for its internal culture.

Cleveland Fire Brigade and Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service were both rated 'good' in all three inspection areas.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue was rated 'inadequate' for both efficiency and people, while overall the rating for effectiveness was that the service 'required improvement'.

However, under the inspection of the service's efficiency, they remained 'good' for responding to major and multi-agency incidents and improved their rating to 'good' for preventing fires and other risks.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services Roy Wilsher said: “Since its last inspection, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s performance has deteriorated in most areas.

“Although the service is good at preventing fires and other risks, I have concerns about its ability to respond to them. We have also highlighted serious concerns about how sustainable its financial plans are for managing these risks in an affordable way.

“It needs to make sure collaboration activities, such as those with police are effective and provide value for money. It currently shares some business services with North Yorkshire Police and the office of the police, fire and crime commissioner, but there is little evidence to show its benefits to the service.

Read next: North Yorkshire gatekeeper's house granted listed status

“Our inspection also found the service to be inadequate in how it looks after its people. The service needs to improve how it promotes the right values and culture, as well as how it maintains and develops staff performance.

“In view of these findings, we have been in regular contact with the newly appointed chief fire officer and will be revisiting the service to monitor its progress.”

In response to the inspector's report, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's Chief Fire Officer, Jonathan Dyson said: "We welcome the challenge and scrutiny from HMICFRS and value the independent nature of the Inspectorate. While this is a very disappointing outcome, it is not a reflection of the hard work and dedication that our staff show, every day, to keeping our communities safe, and feeling safe.

"The Inspectors have said that we are good at preventing fires and other risks and responding to major and multi-agency incidents.

"Much of what the Inspectors have focused on relates to service-level policies and practices.

READ NEXT:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here

"We do need to acknowledge that the Inspection came at a time of significant change for our service. We were just coming out of Covid and transitioning to a new Chief Fire Officer.

"Since taking up my position as Chief Fire Officer in July 2022 I remain very aware about what needs to improve and I’m confident that, along with my newly appointed leadership team, we’ll deliver the HMICFRS improvement plans and service transformation. We are absolutely committed to making significant progress over the next two years."