South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Unveils New Vision, Mission, Values, and Strategy

At South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS), we take immense pride in serving and protecting the communities of South Wales. With over 1.6 million people depending on us, we understand the weight of this responsibility – and we are committed to ensuring we never let them down. Our new strategy lays out a clear path for the future of our Service, guiding us towards the achievement of our vision, and ensuring we remain fit for today and the years ahead.

Our Strategy: A Vision for the Future

This strategy reflects our core priorities and brings together key recommendations from recent reviews and reports, including the Fenella Morris Review and the more recent inspection carried out by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). It aligns with our comprehensive approach to prevention, protection, and response, comprising over 60 workstreams, each with clear timelines for delivery.

The strategy outlines the direction for SWFRS’s continued development, focusing on the goals and aspirations that will help us evolve, innovate, and stay ahead of the challenges we face. Our mission is to protect South Wales today, whilst actively preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.

For more details, you can access the full strategy here and our culture statement here.

Our Vision:

“Working together as one team to be an outstanding Fire and Rescue Service, protecting South Wales today, ambitiously innovating for tomorrow.”

Our Mission:

“To serve our communities by reducing risk and responding to emergencies.”

Our Values:

Through extensive consultation with our staff, we’ve established a set of values that guide us in serving and protecting the communities of South Wales. These values form the foundation of everything we do:

• Compassion: We act with care and understanding in all situations.
• Courage: We face challenges with both moral and physical bravery.
• Respect: We treat one another, our partners, and the public with dignity.
• Integrity: We act honestly and ethically in all circumstances.
• Excellence: We strive for the highest standards in everything we do.

Together, these values can be summed up in our motto: “Courage to act, compassion to care.”

Working Together to Achieve Our Mission

The challenges we face today – and the ones we will encounter tomorrow – require us to work as a unified team. Our new strategy places our people at the heart of what we do, recognising that their wellbeing and empowerment are essential to our success. By fostering a culture of collaboration, we aim to shape a brighter future for SWFRS and the communities we serve.

Our Strategic Goals

To fulfil our vision and mission, we will pursue the following strategic goals, each supported by detailed action plans, timescales, and resources:

• Clear Governance and Procedures: Strengthen our policies and governance frameworks to support effective decision-making and accountability.
• Digital Transformation: Harness the latest advancements in digital technology to create a modern, affordable, and future-proofed Service.
• Operational Excellence: Enhance our capabilities in prevention, protection, and response, ensuring we deliver services safely, effectively, and assertively.
• Unified Teamwork: Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where every individual feels valued and part of the team.
• People-Centred Approach: Place the wellbeing, development, and support of our people at the centre of our service delivery.
• Empowered Leadership: Develop a new generation of leaders who are empowered, selfless, and committed to driving excellence.
• Continuous Learning: Evolve as a learning organization, consistently pushing ourselves to grow and improve.
• Just Culture: Build a culture rooted in our core values, promoting high-performing teams that are supportive and accountable.
• Enhanced Communication: Improve how we communicate and engage with our staff, partners, and the wider community.
• Sustainability: Take proactive steps to reduce our environmental impact and support a sustainable future for South Wales.

Creating an Inclusive and Safe Culture

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, knowing they will be supported and respected. Bullying, harassment, and discrimination have no place in our Service. We are actively working to create an environment where all individuals feel valued, safe, and empowered to do their best work.

As we continue to implement the recommendations from the Fenella Morris Review, we will continue to strengthen our culture, ensuring that all our people feel respected, safe, and proud to be part of the SWFRS team.