Fire Service Faces ‘High Volume of Critical Risks’

Jersey’s fire and rescue service does not currently have the resources needed to safely fulfil its legal responsibilities, according to a new report by the island’s audit office.

The review examined how effectively the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (SJFRS) manages risk and uses its resources to deliver a service that is efficient, effective and provides value for money.

Auditors concluded the service had identified “a large number of extreme risks” linked to operating at its current capacity levels.

Lynn Pamment, Jersey’s comptroller and auditor general, said improvements were needed to ensure the service could respond more effectively and avoid situations where no crews were available.

She said the fire service must develop a comprehensive strategic plan that brings together all known risks and sets out clear priorities.

“SJFRS needs to develop and implement a clear strategic plan incorporating all known risks and setting out key objectives, risk mitigations and measurable performance improvement targets,” Pamment said.

She warned that until such a strategy is introduced and put into practice, the States of Jersey Government would continue to accept a “high level of tolerance of significant risks”.

The report also noted ongoing plans to introduce National Operational Guidance – the standard framework used by fire and rescue services across the UK.

Although a plan to adopt the guidance was first published in 2021 and updated last year, auditors said “a considerable amount of work” is still required before the service meets those standards.

Financial figures for 2025 show the service recorded a small overspend of £35,000 against its budget.

However, the report highlighted a £566,813 underspend on staff costs, a shortfall in expected income of £4,879 and a £596,686 overspend on operational non-staff spending.

Auditors concluded the existing budget was not being directed towards tackling the most pressing risks affecting service delivery.

Mark Labey, a constable who sits on the States of Jersey Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said the fire service faced a range of challenges.

“I think there are going to be many cost pressures on our emergency services, not least the fire brigade because of the isolation issues,” he said.

“They can’t draw resources from neighbouring towns when they need extra help. They have to rely on what they have here, which makes things very, very difficult.”

The fire service and the island’s Home Affairs Minister have been contacted for comment on the findings.