Fire Authority scores top marks for service performance

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has received top marks for service delivery and use of resources in the Audit Commission’s Fire and Rescue Performance Assessment (2008).

Service delivery looks at how well prepared the Authority is to respond to emergencies and prevent fires, deaths and injuries and use of resources covers how well finances are managed to ensure resources are available to support fire service’s priorities, improve service delivery and provide value for money.

The latest assessment scores also show that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is rising to the challenges of modernisation and achieving results in their work to prevent fires from happening in the first place and in community safety initiatives.

County Fire Officer Barry Dixon said, “It’s a credit to all our staff that we have been recognised for our work in reducing preventable injuries, accidental house fires and total fires. One of the ways we have done this is by reducing the valuable time wasted responding to malicious calls and false alarms and using that time to reduce the impact that fire has on our communities.

“We know there is still much to do. We are determined to continue to promote diversity within our Service and to have a work force that reflects the make up of our communities.”

Councillor Paul Shannon, Fire Authority Chairman said: “This report recognises that we are achieving our aim of making efficiency savings without compromising service to our public. The people of Greater Manchester have a Fire and Rescue Service they should rightly be proud of. We will continue to work closely with the community, businesses and local government to build on our success and ultimately make Greater Manchester even safer."