The Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive updates on the implementation of firefighter shift changes, the Fire Cadet Training Programme, and fire cover optimisation. The committee was also set to discuss a motion regarding the donation of decommissioned fire engines to Ukraine, alongside performance data and progress on improvement initiatives.

Implementation of Firefighter Shift Changes

The committee was scheduled to consider a progress update on the implementation of wholetime firefighter shift changes. This report, detailed in the Public reports pack Friday 17-Jul-2026 10.00 Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee, outlined changes to firefighter start and finish times, moving from a 9-hour day/15-hour night shift pattern to 12-hour days and 12-hour nights. The report indicated that this change, which aligned with the Grey Book 7th Edition April 2025¹, was implemented on 5 January 2026. The report aimed to provide an overview of response, protection, prevention, and people, utilising benefit measures underpinned by the objectives of improving community and firefighter safety, and supporting employee wellbeing. Initial feedback from staff was mixed, with some finding the longer days demanding while others felt they enabled greater productivity. A deeper review was planned after 12 months of implementation.

Fire Cadet Training Programme

A report was scheduled for consideration regarding the Fire Cadet Training Programme. This report detailed the history of the GFRS Fire Cadets, which was originally established in 2017 with a focus on engaging young people from areas of deprivation. The programme operated under the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)² Fire Cadet Framework but was suspended in 2021 due to concerns about safeguarding and insufficient service-level support. The decision was made to cease activity in 2022 due to funding constraints and reduced instructor capacity. The report outlined the current position, highlighting that successful and sustainable delivery of a cadet programme would require significant investment in staffing, safeguarding oversight, instructor training, equipment, and operational support. The estimated minimum investment for one cadet unit was approximately £41,000-£49,000. The report recommended that the committee note the contents, recognising that the required investment was unlikely to be affordable within the current financial climate, and that the service should continue to prioritise existing statutory youth prevention work.

Fire Cover Optimisation and Response Measures Review

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on fire cover optimisation and response measures. This item was presented ahead of a decision by Cabinet on 22 July 2026. The report aimed to provide an update on changes made to Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) Wholetime Firefighter start and finish times, associated with current operational practices. The report detailed the Every Day Counts and Every Shift Counts frameworks, outlining how the changes supported the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP)³ by enhancing firefighter and community safety, and increasing public and community engagement. The report included data on response times, prevention activities such as Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs)⁴, protection interventions, community engagement hours, and people metrics, such as training completion rates.

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

A verbal update was scheduled regarding Motion 992, which was agreed by full Council on 24 June 2026. This motion concerned the donation of decommissioned fire engines to Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. The committee was to consider the latest information in relation to this motion.

GFRS Audit

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

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. This data, presented in the Public reports pack Friday 17-Jul-2026 10.00 Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee, provided a strategic overview of the council's performance. The report included scorecards for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue, detailing performance against various measures related to response times, availability of resources, and prevention activities.

Improvement Board Progress Update

The committee was scheduled to note the progress update from the Improvement Board. This report, also found in the Public reports pack Friday 17-Jul-2026 10.00 Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee, detailed the work undertaken to address Causes of Concern and Areas for Improvement identified by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS)⁵. The update indicated that several Causes of Concern related to protection, people, and organisational development had been presented to the board and approved for sign-off. Similarly, multiple Areas for Improvement concerning community engagement, operational guidance, multi-agency response, and workforce planning had also been presented and approved, with some requiring deadline extensions.

Work Plan

The committee was to review its work plan and suggest items for future consideration. This included reviewing the Executive Decisions Forward Plan and considering items aligned with the Council Strategy 2025–2029: A stronger future, built together . The committee was also to note the dates of future meetings.