National Report Highlights Positive Practice in Staffordshire

We have today been highlighted in a national report assessing fire and rescue services.

The ‘State of Fire and Rescue: The Annual Assessment of Fire and Rescue Services’ assesses effectiveness and efficiency of fire and rescue services in England and details improvements, as well as areas where progress needs to be made. The report is based on the findings of inspection reports carried out by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

We have been highlighted in the report for positive practice in relation to two services we offer, to relieve pressure on the NHS. The first is our Falls Response Team who respond to non-critical incidents for people who have fallen in their home. The second is our Home from Hospital Team who support patients discharged from hospital, by safely transporting them home and settling them back in. Ensuring they have everything they need to support a smooth recovery.

We were also praised as one of five services who have addressed most of the areas for improvement that we were issued in our previous inspections. The report refers to this as ‘the result of clear strategic planning, robust action plans and focused leadership’.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Glynn Luznyj, said: “We’re delighted to have been highlighted in this national report as a service that has shown positive practice, with our teams that are supporting our colleagues in the NHS. The role of the fire and rescue service is now much broader than just responding to incidents. By supporting the most vulnerable in our society we can work towards our vision of making Staffordshire the safest place to be.”

“The report does state that nationally persistent issues continue to slow the pace of change, which is something we’re keen to avoid here in Staffordshire. We’re committed to continuous improvement, as demonstrated by the praise we were given for being one of the fire services that has addressed the most areas for improvement.

"We will take account of the national recommendations outlined in the report and consider how they can be applied to strengthen and improve our service locally."

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Fire Ben Adams said: “This report highlights some of the fantastic work being done by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service in addition to tackling fires. The Falls Response and Home from Hospital teams protect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, and it’s great to see how the schemes have progressed since their introduction.

“The Service has made some significant improvements since HMICFRS’s last report, and I’m pleased that the hard work, dedication and strong leadership needed to implement these changes has been recognised.

“Staffordshire, like other fire and rescue services, is continuing to evolve and adapt to the changing threats to public safety whilst striving to improve workplace culture. Along with other Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors, I will continue to support HMICFRS’s push for reform of the wider sector, including operational independence for Chief Fire Officers.”