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THE LATEST performance assessments of fire and rescue authorities in England show that most are rising to the challenges of modernisation but that the rate of improvement is variable.
Carried out by the Audit Commission, the assessments examine and score the country’s 47 fire authorities on how well they are managed and perform. It concludes that some fire authorities score highly for the way they plan and manage the service but, in many cases, the improvements have not yet resulted in better performance.
The assessments are made up of three elements:
• service assessments judge how well-prepared fire authorities are to respond to incidents. The Commission says that more than two-thirds (69%) of fire authorities are performing strongly in this area
• direction of travel scores show how well authorities are modernising and refocusing their services on prevention. All authorities are improving in this area, with half improving well and one, West Yorkshire, improving strongly
• use of resources scores show that all authorities manage resources and deliver value for money. Some 85% are performing strong or well in this
area, with three authorities – Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Kent and Medway – scoring top marks
However, the new assessments highlight that the gap between those fire and rescue authorities performing strongly and those performing adequately is widening. For many fire services, the results of improved fire prevention activity have yet to lead to a sustained reduction in fires, it says. In addition, all fire authorities need to take further action to improve equality and diversity.
Commenting on the results, Fire Minister Angela Smith MP said: ‘Overall, the picture is encouraging with many authorities, even at the top end of the performance spectrum, striving for continuous improvement. However, it is clear that there is more work to do in some areas and we will continue to work closely with authorities to ensure a culture of improvement becomes embedded.’
More information can be found at: www.audit-commission.gov.uk/fire
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