Issue - meetings

It was moved by Councillor Byrom, seconded by Councillor Grace and following the debate it was unanimously

RESOLVED:

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority

This Council: -

1.     Recognises and applauds Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA) following its very strong performance in the recent Inspection carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

        The Inspectorate assesses Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority as GOOD when considering: -

•      How effective they are in keeping people safe from fire and other risks

•      How efficient they are in keeping people safe from fire and other risks

•      How well they look after their people

but notably, OUTSTANDING in the areas of preventing fires and national resilience - the only Service in the Country to receive 2 Outstanding assessments for its work.

2.    Notes that this is the highest ‘performance’ in the Country, from the first two rounds of inspection.

3.     Congratulates the Chief Fire Officer for his leadership and his team for their hard work and tenacity, notably the Fire Fighters; Fire Prevention teams; Protection Officers; Support Services and the representative bodies, who along with the members of the MFRA have achieved this recognition.

4.     Agrees that the political decision to support a model which only utilises professional full time firefighters; to partner with the Home Office as lead authority for national resilience; to maintain a 10 minute response standard (5 min 40 sec average attendance time);  to resource to demand;  to increase the number of Fire Engines; to improve the diversity of the workforce; to invest in up to date fit for purpose Community Fire and Rescue Stations; whilst giving home fire prevention very high priority; has contributed to the result and findings of the inspectorate.

5.    Believes that the results would have been even better if the Government had maintained the proper level of funding for MFRA, who have suffered some of the largest cuts to Government grant in the country, but have tenaciously hung on to full time firefighters whilst maintaining an emphasis on community fire prevention, in order to help keep Merseyside safe.