Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services for England and Wales, is responsible for the inspection and auditing of all Local Authority Fire Services in England and Wales to ensure they meet strict performance criteria and targets laid out by the Government .
The Chief Inspector is part of Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate which reports to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
The current Chief Inspector is the former Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Sir Ken Knight. The role of Chief Inspector also includes additional responsibilities to HM Government. The Chief Inspector is the most senior Fire and Rescue Service adviser to the Government, advising on policy, procedures, and legislative changes affecting the UK Fire Service.
Although this additional responsiblity only officially extends to England and Wales, the post is deemed to cover to all parts of the UK in shaping policy changes relating to the UK Fire & Rescue Service inlight of major incidents and outcomes from any investigations resulting from the work of the Fire & Rescue Service.
The Inspectorate reports on the activities of the Public Fire and Rescue Services of England and Wales as well as the Defence Fire and Rescue Service (which operated by the Minsitry of Defence) on a voluntary basis.
The HMFSI's equivalent in Scotland is Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate for Scotland
For a short period of time the title of HMCI was renamed as Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser however the title was unpopular and was reverted back.
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In February 2007, the government in the UK announced it was setting up a new unit to advise ministers on fire and rescue issues and creating the role of Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser (CFRA) confirming in May the same year that Sir Ken Knight had been appointed to the position.[1][2] In October 2007, Sir Ken left the London Fire Brigade to start his new role.[3] The announcement was made by the then fire minister Angela Smith. The purpose of the new unit and its adviser is to "provide ministers and civil servants with independent professional advice on fire and rescue issues".[1] The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser will also retain the historic title of HM Chief Inspector which was traditionally given to the head of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Fire Service.[4] The new unit and its chief advisor will replace HMFSI, its function will be to advise ministers, COBR and other government departments; and local government. The Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser or CFRA will report to the Department for Communities and Local Government. The new units remit will only extend to England and Wales, in Scotland, the role of Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate will continue in its existing form under Chief Inspector of Fire Services Brian Fraser.
The DfCLG has outlined the general functions of the CFRA, and the new unit:[1]
The detailed job description was made available to the public ahead of Sir Ken's appointment. It said the role of CFRA comes with a "substantial six figure package".[5] The CFRA will have to set up the new unit, the last HM Chief inspector of Fire Services was Sir Graham Meldrum who retired in January 2007. The new post of CFRA has been created to reflect changes to the fire and rescue service in the UK brought about by the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004, although it only applies to England and Wales. However, it is anticipated that the CFRA will advise the government on any major incident in the UK.