[
Fire and rescue services in England are preventing more fires, saving lives and reducing deaths and injuries, but the gap between the best and worst services is widening.
Those are some of the main conclusions of the Audit Commission’s annual assessment of the fire service published today. It says 37 out of England’s 46 fire services are improving well or strongly, though improvement has slowed in six services, with one not improving at all.
Targeting prevention work at people most at risk of being involved in a fire has contributed to a 6% reduction in accidental fires in the home, says the Audit Commission. Strongly performing services have identified where they should focus their attention and are working with vulnerable people such as those on low incomes, people who live alone or who have mobility problems.
Last December, another Audit Commission report sparked controversy when it suggested that if all fire services followed the most efficient ones, some GB pound 200m could be cut from the GB pound 2.1bn annual cost of the service.
During 2008/09 the Commission gave fire services the chance to apply for a revision of their original 2005 score. Fire services that showed significant and sustained improvement were re-categorised as follows: Cleveland ( from ‘fair’ to ‘good’), Lancashire (‘fair’ to ‘good’), Northamptonshire (‘weak’ to ‘fair’), Wiltshire and Swindon (‘weak’ to ‘fair’), London Fire Brigade (‘good’ to ‘excellent’), Lincolnshire (‘weak’ to ‘good’), Bedfordshire and Luton (‘weak’ to ‘fair’).
The Commission carried out a new assessment of Cornwall fire service following a significant decline in performance. They have deteriorated from ‘fair’ to ‘poor’.
“Today’s assessments show that England’s fire service is getting better and better, said Steve Bundred, chief executive of the Audit Commission. “But there are still challenges to overcome and improvements to be made. Services must address workforce diversity and look to the best to see how they can improve efficiency without jeopardising safety. Those services that are lagging behind must catch up with the rest.”
While welcoming the overall improvement in performance, fire minister Sadiq Khan added: “We will look at those lagging behind to see what more can be done to speed up their improvement. We will continue to challenge those failing to make good progress and work with the fire and rescue Service to recognise and spread good practice and innovation.”
Audit Commission report and rankings
2023 Fire Safety eBook – Grab your free copy!
Download the Fire Safety in 2023 eBook, keeping you up to date with the biggest news and prosecution stories from around the industry. Chapters include important updates such as the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and an overview of the new British Standard for the digital management of fire safety information.
Plus, we explore the growing risks of lithium-ion battery fires and hear from experts in disability evacuation and social housing.
