Fire Service is 'performing well'

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority is ‘performing well’ according to the Comprehensive Area Assessment released today (Thursday 10 December).

The Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) is a new way of assessing local public services in England. It examines how well councils and other public bodies, working together, meet the needs of the people they serve.

Commenting on the good results Councillor James Pearson, Chairman of the Fire Authority said: “The results are extremely encouraging, acknowledging that we are focusing strongly on delivery at the community and borough level.

“In real terms we are actively involved in local partnerships, improvements are being delivered year on year and some of these improvements are significant. 

"These results demonstrate to the people of Greater Manchester that we are, rightly so, performance driven to provide the best service that we can to our communities."

The CAA also states that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescure Authority (GMFRA) uses its resources well and gives good value for money.

GMFRA Vice Chairman Councillor Paul Shannon said: “The Fire Authority has made it a priority to use finances effectively to deliver strategic priorities whilst also securing a stable financial position.

“These priorities have been achieved whilst making the highest efficiency savings in the country, a position that sets GMFRA in good stead for the challenges ahead."

When factoring in levels of deprivation, GMFRA has the second lowest service cost per head nationally while the impact that fire has on the communities of Greater Manchester has also been reduced;:

• The number of properties and vehicles deliberately set on fire has been reduced.
• Over 61,000 home fire risk assessments have been undertaken.
• The number of people injured in accidental fires in the home has been reduced significantly.

County Fire Officer Steve McGuirk said: “Our staff, the public and our partners should be proud of the magnificent achievements we have made in public safety. But we recognise that there is much still to do in areas such as equality and diversity.

“We face tough economic times, where providing high performing, value for money services that meet the public's needs should continue to be our priority. I firmly believe that in these reports the CAA has acknowledged that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is well placed to meet that challenge."

Other notable performance includes improvements in health and safety, with action taken to reduce the risk of staff being attacked on duty, including actively identifying and pursuing prosecution of the culprits. 

Initiatives like the "Drive to Arrive" policy have reduced the number of accidents and near misses involving fire engines.