Firefighters have been praised for their flood responses

10:10pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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THE fire and rescue service in Worcestershire and Herefordshire has been praised by the Audit Commission for the way it responded to the emergencies resulting from the severe flooding last summer.

However, the devastating consequences of the torrential rain did hamper the service’s ability to improve its performance last year, according to Elizabeth Cave from the Audit Commission.

The conclusions are stated in the 2007/08 annual audit and inspection letter reported to the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority audit committee.

Ms Cave said: “The authority made a strong contribution to the safety of its residents and local businesses in providing a co-ordinated and effective response to the severe flooding last summer.

“This was at both a local and national level through hosting the national command centre. Activity increased 100-fold overnight.

“Command and control was successful and advanced preparation enabled the authority to mobilise all of its staff to respond in many different roles from their normal job.”

“One thousand rescues were made in 24 hours. Firefighters provided eyes on the ground and reassurance to people in shock.

“All firefighters had received basic water safety training and worked well with experts from other brigades so that many lives were saved and property safeguarded. This provided a tangible difference to local people.”

The authority also provides good value for money, said Ms Cave, by providing efficiencies during the year.

It was rated as performing strongly – well above minimum requirements.

However, it needs to strengthen its operational response and delivery performance management, community safety work and its capacity to improve through its new structure, which was introduced in 2006.

Ms Cave said the authority has robust improvement plans but are not clearly outcome focused.

She also noted there had been a high turnover of middle managers.

“It is clear that the service has some issues to address in terms of capacity to ensure the smooth running of the organisation.

“However, we do not expect these to form a barrier to improvement.”