The Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee met on Friday 17 July 2026 to consider updates on firefighter shift changes, the fire cadet programme, and fire cover optimisation. The committee also received information on a motion to donate decommissioned fire engines to Ukraine, an audit update, community safety performance data, and progress from the Improvement Board.

Implementation of Firefighter Shift Changes

The committee was scheduled to receive a progress update on the implementation of wholetime firefighter shift changes. The report indicated that changes to firefighter start and finish times, from a 9-hour day/15-hour night shift pattern to 12-hour days and 12-hour nights, had been implemented from 5 January 2026. This change was described as a compromise reached through national conciliation and aligned with the Fire Service Grey Book. The report noted that feedback on the revised times had been mixed, with some staff finding the longer days demanding while others felt they enabled greater productivity. While there was no evidence at that stage to suggest increased sickness absence or staff turnover, a deeper review at the 12-month point was planned to provide a clearer picture. The report detailed achievements and deliverables in areas such as community engagement, prevention, and protection, noting that while Home Fire Safety Visits had met or exceeded targets, Business Safety Interventions had fallen below the indicative target.

Fire Cadet Training Programme

A report was presented for consideration regarding the feasibility, resource implications, and current service position on reintroducing a Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) Fire Cadet programme. The programme, originally established in 2017, had focused on engaging young people from deprived areas. However, due to increasing governance and safeguarding requirements, limited staffing, and financial pressures, the model became difficult to sustain. Fire cadet activity was suspended in 2021 following concerns about child safety and ceased in 2022 due to funding constraints and reduced instructor capacity. The report outlined that reintroducing the programme would require significant investment in staffing, safeguarding oversight, instructor training, equipment, and ongoing operational support. The estimated minimum investment for one cadet unit was approximately £41-49k, with ongoing financial commitments and significant staff input across multiple departments. The report concluded that, given the current financial climate, the service would continue to prioritise existing statutory youth prevention work and Serious Violence Duty interventions.

Fire Cover Optimisation and Response Measures Review

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on fire cover optimisation and response measures review, ahead of a decision by Cabinet on 22 July 2026. This item was marked as REPORT TO FOLLOW in the agenda.

Motion 992 - Donation of Decommissioned Fire Engines to Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine

The committee was to receive a verbal update regarding Motion 992, which had been agreed by full Council on 24 June 2026. This motion concerned the donation of decommissioned fire engines to Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

GFRS Audit

A verbal update on the GFRS Audit was scheduled to be received by the committee.

Community Safety Performance Data - Q4 2025/26

The committee was to note the Community Safety performance data for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The report provided a strategic overview of the council's performance, including scorecards for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue. Key performance indicators related to response times, availability of fire engines, and site-specific risk information visits were presented. The data indicated an improving trend in average response times to dwelling fires, with Wholetime crews showing faster performance than On Call crews. The report also highlighted performance in prevention, noting that a high percentage of Safe and Well Visits were undertaken for vulnerable individuals, though the rate of dwelling fires per 10,000 population was above target.

Improvement Board Progress Update

The committee was to note the progress update from the GFRS Improvement Board. The report detailed the outcomes of inspections by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which had identified causes of concern and areas for improvement. The report indicated that several causes of concern related to public safety through fire regulation, promoting values and culture, and promoting fairness and diversity had been dismissed following revisits. Areas for improvement concerning community engagement, adoption of national operational guidance, multi-agency response to terrorist incidents, sharing fire survival guidance, workforce productivity, collaboration, and fleet and estates management were also addressed. The report also referenced an independent review into racism and bullying within the service.

Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to review its work plan and suggest items for future consideration. This included reviewing the Executive Decisions Forward Plan and the Council Strategy, specifically A stronger future, built together (2025-2029). The committee was to consider how to categorise future items as Overview, Scrutiny, or Information. The work plan indicated future meetings and potential topics, including updates on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the GFRS Training Facility, and the outcome of an Independent Review.