Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 12/02/2009 14:32

Cornwall County Fire Brigade has taken its first steps on the road to improvement after the Audit Commission’s report was published in January.

The Improvement Plan for the Service has been presented to the Chief Executive and Members, and will focus on five key themes, these being:

· Strong and effective leadership

· Driving performance

· Working effectively in partnership

· Understanding our community

· Organisational development

An improvement team has been formed internally with an officer heading up each of the themes. In addition an Improvement Board has been formed, comprising Sir Ken Knight (Chief Fire Advisor for CLG), Pat Coleman (CLG), representatives from the Audit Commission and Government Office South West, Cllr Ken Yeo, Cllr Roger Jones, CFO Terry Standing, DCFO Ted Simpson, ACFO John Sweeney and Paul Masters (Acting Assistant Chief Executive). The board will meet mid March to assess progress made so far.

There has also been a comprehensive structural assessment, leading to major changes. Currently the service operates under a divisional structure, with Cornwall being split into East, West and Central. Divisional Commanders head up each of these areas with individual management teams under each. The Brigade’s new approach will see a functional structure, split into areas of work rather than geography, with a more centralised management structure feeding into these areas.

Chief Fire Officer Terry Standing says, “This is our first step forward in improving the service which will not only see clearer lines of reporting but efficiency savings in the way the Brigade works. I have been overwhelmed by the support and the energy of staff in Cornwall’s Fire Service in making the improvements happen. This move puts the Brigade on a solid footing, paving the way for the new Chief Fire Officer who will continue to take the service from strength to strength under this new arrangement.”

The recruitment process for the new Chief is well underway, and it is hoped that the new Chief will be appointed by the end of March, and in post by the Summer.

For information on the Comprehensive Performance Assessment, visit the link below.

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=47470