[22 February 2007]

It´s a great result for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service!

Local citizens can feel reassured about the high quality service provision and value for money they receive from their Fire and Rescue Service. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has scored very well in the national independent Audit Commission assessment results for 2006/07, delivering a sustained year-on-year improvement in key areas of Service performance.

The Independent Service Assessment Audit covers two main areas, which include; what progress the Fire Authority has made in the last year and the effectiveness of operational service delivery. This performance evaluation is assessed by three separate external audits, who have ranked East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as "performing well – consistently above minimum requirements."

Chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, Councillor Mike Murphy, said; "We take a very pro-active role within our local communities and are dedicated to ensuring the communities of East Sussex and the City of Brighton & Hove are safer places to live and work in." The Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, Des Prichard added. "This independent report is an excellent reflection of the achievements and successes of East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. I am tremendously proud to be working with such committed and professional staff who have all ensured this measure of success, is possible."

The Fire and Rescue assessment breaks down into two key areas; an operational assessment of service delivery and performance information. The report states; “East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is performing well in all areas of service delivery from risk analysis to it´s emergency response services. The service has a clear focus on operational service delivery and provides a wide range of intervention services including offshore maritime firefighting. The Service works with partners to deliver an effective prevention service and has made strong links with crime and disorder reduction partnerships in order to reduce the number of fires in the area. The Service has a well-developed approach to risk analysis and this is supported by a comprehensive performance management system and good audit and review mechanisms. There are clear processes for monitoring and reviewing operational performance with some areas for improvement. The Service has a good technical and human resource infrastructure to support the handling of emergency calls and incidents and control staff are effectively engaged in the wider work of the Service.”

[More information and the full report can be found on the Audit Commission´s website, together with the published scores and reports for 45 Fire and Rescue Authorities at (www.audit-commission.gov.uk/fire/firecpa). See points 6 & 7 in the Audit Commission report.]

[Allison Gilson]