Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 04/10/2010 10:20

Interview opportunity with Chair of the Improvement Board Patricia Coleman at approx 3pm on 06 October 2010 at St Austell Community Fire Station

The final meeting of the Improvement Board, set up to oversee the progress and improvement journey of Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, will take place on 6 October.

The final meeting follows the announcement in July from Fire Minister Bob Neill, that formal engagement through the Improvement Board in Cornwall, which was set up in April 2009 to oversee the Service’s improvement journey, is to end earlier than anticipated.

Patricia Coleman, who has been Chair of the Improvement Board since it was established almost 2 years ago, said “I, and other Board Members, are really pleased with the progress councillors, officers and staff have made and, from now on, we expect them to continue their efforts by drawing on assistance from other Fire and Rescue Authorities.”

The meeting will welcome Susan Johnson, Director of Performance Improvement from the Chief Fire Officers Association. The CFOA have welcomed the announcement from Communities and Local Government that the Improvement Board in Cornwall is disbanding and is offering continued support to CFRS on its improvement journey.

Susan Johnson said: “CFOA very much welcomes the acceptance by central government that it is the fire sector which is best placed to assist any services which have performance challenges.

CFOA relishes this opportunity to assist colleagues and we have worked hard with the Local Government Association to develop a robust system of peer support. CFOA will now set to work assisting Cornwall in those areas which the service has identified as being priorities for themselves”.

CFRS Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury said: “I am happy that the improvements we have made in Cornwall and the hard work and effort of the service and the council has and continues to be recognised. I am delighted by the support we have already received from FRS colleagues. Earlier this year we underwent a peer assessment through which a team of FRS professionals and a local government politician were able to help us in identifying where we can make further improvements. I believe this is exactly what is best about our profession - that we are not only able to challenge one another but can also provide support for colleagues where they need assistance. Cornwall Fire and Rescue has embarked on a major change programme and I am proud of the progress that has been made. I want to pay tribute to all those, including external partners and colleagues from within Cornwall Council, who have contributed to the progress to date. We all know there is more to do and no one will be taking their eye off the ball.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for community safety Lance Kennedy said: “Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have come a long way. A measure of trust has been built which has allowed us to put our own house in order. Operationally we have made huge strides in improving the service we provide to the people of Cornwall. Recent successes include the trial of 24 hour fire cover in Newquay, new equipment and personal protective fire kit and a management regime which encourages communication and openness. We are committed to preventing incidents and accidents from happening in the first place and using our resources more effectively. An example of this is using firefighters who may not be able to attend front line incidents, to carry out home fire risk assessments and fit smoke alarms.

Huge strides have been taken at management level and through member involvement. None of this would have been possible without the highest level of commitment and honesty displayed by all the staff. Having achieved this recognised success we are not complacent and will continue the improvement. I would also like to express my thanks to Pat Coleman and the Improvement Board for the way this period in our evolution has been handled”

Leader of Cornwall Council Alec Robertson said: “This final meeting of the Improvement Board will round up a remarkable period of change within Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. I am delighted that CFRS has moved to a position where it has clear leadership and is showing signs of improvement. We are of course committed to continue this improvement and I see the rapid progress made by CFRS as a model for how we as a Council must work together with our partners to turn around services.”