Thursday 12 February
14.00 hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is delighted with the
rating it has received in the Audit Commission's annual assessment
of fire service performance announced today.
Out of a '1 to 4 rating' (four being the highest) AF&RS has
been awarded a '3' rating of 'Performing well'. This rating
places Avon as one of the better performing fire and rescue
services in the country with performance improvement above the
national average.
The report looked at three different areas within AF&RS:
- 'Direction of Travel' - progress being made to achieve
improvement.
- 'Use of Resources' - how well the authority plans and manages
its finances, and whether it achieves value for money.
- 'Service Assessment' - which covered OASD (Operational
Assessment of Service Delivery) and the current status of
AF&RS's Performance Indicators (PIs).
Chair of Avon Fire Authority, Councillor Terry Walker said:
"Avon Fire Authority is extremely proud to receive the rating of
'Performing well' in the Audit Commission's annual assessment of
fire service performance. Today's announcement formally
recognises that we are both performing and improving well.
"Our mission to improve public safety through prevention,
protection and response continues to be at the forefront of our
work and the services we provide to our community.
"As we face challenging financial times it is reassuring to know
that the report confirms that we are managing our assets well, with
good financial management, increased efficiency savings and a more
flexible operational workforce.
"I have every confidence in the Chief Fire Officer/Chief
Executive and his team to continue improvements in the service and
am confident AF&RS will deliver at its next audit."
Today's report recognises the work AF&RS is undertaking in
the areas of preventing, protecting and responding, from reducing
deaths and serious injuries at road traffic collisions and the
number of deliberate vehicle fires, to helping re-educate young
offenders and increasing the number of Home Fire Safety Visits
carried out, in particular to 'at risk' groups. On top of
this, the Audit Commission also highlights how AF&RS continues
to meet its emergency response times.
Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Kevin Pearson said: "I am
delighted with the recognition this report brings to the hard work
being carried out by staff from across the service.
"As we move into the new audit regime of Comprehensive Area
Assessment (CAA) I am also pleased it has been shown that we
already have a strong commitment to partnership working,
particularly in the area of reducing risks to the community.
These findings provide a healthy foundation for the next audit
process.
"Perhaps one of the most significant points raised is the
progress AF&RS continues to make in promoting and achieving
equality. Over the last couple of years we have come under
much criticism for the work we are carrying out to ensure equality
and diversity. This remains a major issue for the fire and
rescue service nationally, and here in Avon we will continue to
support this agenda and are confident we will overcome the
challenges we may face."