About the customer (DSFRS)
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority (the Authority) is responsible for ensuring that the communities of Somerset and Devon, including Plymouth and Torbay, are protected, and supported by an effective and efficient fire and rescue service.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) is the organisation put in place by the Authority to deliver its duties and responsibilities. DSFRS are the largest non-metropolitan fire and rescue service in England, covering almost 4,000 square miles. Protecting 820,000 households, 74,000 businesses and a further 1.1 million visitors a year. Their Service area has a network of over 13,000 miles of roads, 90% of which are smaller, rural roads and country lanes, and 659 miles of coastline. The Service has 332 emergency response vehicles and 1,915 dedicated staff.
Challenges
In 2019 the HMICFRS conducted an audit of DSFRS practices and pillars, resulting in a ‘Requires Improvement’ in the ‘People’ Pillar. The Executive Board supported the DCFO in commissioning a review of the Human Resources (HR) and Organisational Development (OD) functions to improve efficiency and effectiveness and in September 2020 a third-party HR Company were commissioned to establish if the HR and OD functions reflected the needs of a modern Fire & Rescue Service. At the end of the review process it was summarised that the HR management framework required fundamental reform.
The key recommendation suggested a phased move to a new model of service delivery that included a single HR and OD with greater emphasis on partnering, collaboration, culture, behaviour, and talent management with OD and HR Business aArtnering at its very core.
Delt’s HR & OD Service Involvement
To support the direction and HR transformation, Delt were engaged on an HR consultancy basis with work commencing in January 2021. During this time, Delt’s HR teams have driven a roadmap of change, ensured regular evaluation and supported the Service in their transformational reform. The Delt HR team has played a significant role in creating and maintaining the Healthy, Happy and Safe at Work Culture that is a significant priority within DSFRS’ People Strategy.
Impact
The last 12 months have delivered a number of initiatives and working practices to establish the foundations for a successful transformation. As these practices become embedded they are fully prepared to realise all of the benefits of the transformation in the coming months and years.