Fire service 'good' but could 'further improve'

A fire service is providing a good service to the public but there is room for further improvement, the fire inspectorate has said.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has graded Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service's (RBFRS) performance across 11 areas.

It said the service had made progress since its previous inspection, but needed to make further improvements in some areas.

Jeff Brooks, chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said the assessment was "clear" that the service was "fantastic".

"As a Fire Authority, we have challenged ourselves to have plans which not only maintain the positive levels of service offered, but crucially invest in equipment, fire stations and training to equip RBFRS for the years ahead," Mr Brooks said.

In its latest report, the inspectorate found the service was good in eight areas and adequate in three.

The inspectorate praised RBFRS for providing an "effective prevention, protection and response service to the public".

It said the service "worked well" with other fire and rescue services and organisations such as the police, local authorities and health providers.

Inspectors also found a "positive working culture throughout the service", with staff "empowered and willing to challenge poor behaviours when they come across them".

To improve, the inspectorate said the service needed to "show a clear rationale" for the resources allocated between different activities.

It should also put in place an "open and fair process to identify, develop and support high-potential staff and aspiring leaders".

Roy Wilsher, from the inspectorate, said he was "pleased with the performance" of RBFRS in "keeping people safe and secure".

"It is providing a good service to the public, and it is particularly effective in preventing fires and responding to incidents," he said.

He added that the service needed to "improve in some areas to provide a consistently good service".

Wayne Bowcock, chief fire officer at RBFRS, said the service's consistent good rating did not "happen by coincidence".

"We will now reflect on this positive assessment and recommendations, before we challenge ourselves to raise the bar even higher, for the benefit of our staff and communities," he added.

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