As His Majesty's Chief Inspector the post holder is responsible for auditing of all the local authority fire services in their jurisdiction to ensure they meet strict performance criteria and targets laid out by the government.
In February 2007, the UK government announced it was setting up a new unit to advise ministers on fire and rescue issues and creating the role of Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser (CFRA) confirming in May the same year that Sir Ken Knight had been appointed to the position.
The purpose of the unit and its adviser is to "provide ministers and civil servants with independent professional advice on fire and rescue issues".
The DfCLG has outlined the general functions of the CFRA, and the new unit:[1] The detailed job description was made available to the public ahead of Sir Ken's appointment.
[6] The CFRA will have to set up the new unit, the last HM Chief inspector of Fire Services was Sir Graham Meldrum who retired in January 2007.