The New Dynamics of Accountability in Fire and Rescue Services

The New Dynamics of Accountability in Fire and Rescue Services offers a timely and critical examination of how governance reforms have reshaped accountability within one of the most under-researched emergency services.While accountability has become a central theme in public service discourse, its interpretation varies widely across contexts.This timely work addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing on the fire and rescue sector, which has often been overshadowed by studies on police accountability.Through an in-depth analysis of the UK Government’s Policing and Crime Act 2017, author Katarzyna Lakoma explores the introduction of new governance models-most notably the role of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners (PFCCs)-and the establishment of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, alongside a renewed emphasis on cross-service collaboration. Drawing on stakeholder perspectives and policy analysis, the book investigates how these reform