A peer-led review of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service was carried out in advance of a planned inspectorate visit, the national security minister said.

Michael Weeks added that a report from the exercise was received last week and is expected to support the organisation in shaping its priorities for the next five years.

He reminded the House of Assembly on Friday that in the 2022 Throne Speech, it was announced that His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services would be invited to carry out a review of the BFRS — the first since 2010.

The minister added: “Following the announcement in 2022, the Chief Fire Officer engaged the inspectorate in discussions about such a review.

“From these exchanges, it was recommended that the Government would derive added value from a peer-led review by the National Fire Chiefs Council as a precursor to the formal review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

“The Ministry of National Security concurred with this recommendation and directed the Chief Fire Officer to engage the NFCC to undertake the peer-led review at the earliest opportunity.”

Ahead of that review, an internal organisational and staffing review was carried out by a third party in November 2023.

Mr Weeks explained: “The findings of this internal review have been instrumental in assessing staffing levels and operational efficiency of the BFRS.”

He told the House that the NFCC served as the “professional voice” of British fire and rescue services, to support their improvement and development.

The minister explained that its core objectives include strengthening professional and operational leadership of services, enhancing national co-ordination, reducing duplication and increasing efficiency, and supporting local service delivery.

He said the BFRS underwent a comprehensive organisational review by a four-person NFCC team in February.

It resulted in receipt last week of a report that is expected to support the BFRS in planning and prioritising resources to address evolving risks through to 2030.

Mr Weeks said that the scope of the NFCC review included an assessment of the organisational structure of the service, staffing levels and shift patterns, the impact of the newly negotiated firefighter benefits package under the collective bargaining agreement, training requirements, and technology and equipment needs.

He explained: “The review team worked under certain constraints.

“Due to the timing of their visit coinciding with Bermuda’s General Election, they refrained from engaging with elected Members of Parliament to maintain impartiality and to avoid the risk of perceived political influence.

“Their evaluation drew on comparisons with UK standards and best practices, while remaining sensitive to Bermuda’s unique context as an island country.

“It is anticipated that a review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, which will be conducted later this year or early in 2026, will build upon the foundational work undertaken by the Ministry of National Security and the BFRS.

“This forthcoming final review will undoubtedly provide additional findings and recommendations to support continuous improvement.

“The ultimate objective of this phased review process is to modernise the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, in order to ensure that it remains effective, efficient and fully capable of meeting the needs of the Bermudian public.“

• To read Michael Weeks’s statement in full, see Related Media

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Minister Weeks on a peer-led review of the BFRS