London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) has been judged to be ‘performing well’ after its services were assessed by the Audit Commission.
The Government watchdog found the Authority to be performing ‘consistently above minimum requirements’ and awarded it a score of three out of a possible rating of four.
The Audit Commission’s Fire and Rescue Service Assessment for 2006/7 consisted of two parts - an Operational Assessment of Service Delivery (OASD) and an evaluation of fire performance information.
At the end of 2006 a team from the Department for Communities and Local Government carried out an Operational Assessment of Service Delivery across London Fire Brigade to judge how well the authority plans, organises and delivers its operational services.
The OASD focused on fire prevention and emergency response to fires, accidents, rescues, major incidents, terrorism and environmental threats. Inspectors looked at five key areas – risk analysis; prevention and protection; operational preparedness; call management and incident support and emergency response. The Brigade was judged to be ‘performing strongly in all five areas’- and awarded a score of four, the highest mark available – making it one of the highest scoring Fire Authorities in the country for this part of the assessment.
Following the evaluation of fire performance information, which formed the second part of the Audit Commission’s overall assessment, the Authority was found to be performing adequately overall and comparatively well in the areas of reducing the number of deliberate and major fires.
Commenting on the Audit Commission’s findings Commissioner of London Fire Brigade Sir Ken Knight said: “This is a positive report and the assessment reflects the high quality of the services that the London Fire Brigade and the Authority provide. I’m particularly pleased that the external assessors have recognised our successful work in reducing arson and the fire prevention and protection activities that we carry out to reduce the risk of fire to Londoners.
“We are not complacent though. From improving fire cover for London as a whole by targeting our resources at those areas most at risk, to meeting the threat posed by potential terrorist attacks, we will continue to show our commitment to public safety and to achieving our aim of making London a safer city.”
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