Our Fire and Rescue Service is very well-regarded for the work they do in keeping us all safe.  While responding to emergencies is a key part of what Fire Services do, their important work in fire prevention and protection activities cannot be understated.

The West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service publishes performance statistics for each quarter of the year.  It is good to see that response times for the first appliance to reach a fire are being met, and that while any death and injuries from fires are one too many, that casualty rates are very low for the last financial year, having fallen significantly.

Last week, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services published their report, following an inspection of West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, along with those for fourteen other Fire Services.  I’m delighted that our Fire Service is one of the most improved out of the fifteen inspected, with improvements across the board since the last inspection in November 2018.

The West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is an integral part of West Sussex County Council, where the Conservative Administration has been determined to support the Fire Service and give them the tools they needed for improvement.  Sadly, other parties voted against the additional £3.1 million investment put into the Fire Service made at the annual budget meetings.

The inspectors found that the additional investment by the County Council into the Fire Service since the previous inspection has been key to delivering on the improvement plan and has resulted in a service that is efficient and well-resourced according to risk.  They were also able to discharge all three previous causes of concern that related to public safety.  Of particular reassurance to the public will be that “Responding to fires and other emergencies” and “Understanding fires and other risks” were officially rated as “Good”.

There is more to do and addressing the areas where not enough progress has been made will be a priority, but I’m delighted that the hard work of all the staff has been officially recognised through the many improvements made.    

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

3rd August 2022