Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has been judged as
performing well by the Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Area
Assessment (CAA).
SFRS has long been recognised for its low cost and high efficiency,
which has been confirmed by these latest results.
Cllr Rae Leighton, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection said;
“Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service continues to deliver a service
which is very cost effective compared to all other fire and rescue
services. We have the lowest cost per head of population in England
and maintain high performance".
“The Audit Commission praised the service for working well with its
partners and delivering a wide range of community initiatives,
specifically focused on vulnerable people. The fire service has
also launched a number of initiatives to improve the health and
fitness of young people in the county.”
SFRS has been commended for reducing the number of deliberate fires
as well as lowering the number of people who are injured in a
fire.
Cllr Leighton continued; “Although the results we have received are
pleasing, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is not complacent. We
know there are still areas where we can improve and we will
continue to do what we need to in order to protect the people of
Suffolk.”
Full details of the 2009 Audit Commission report
Performance Management
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service measures its performance through
a range of statistical indicators. This information is displayed on
our performance management system; PB Views, which is accessible to
all stations and officers. The most important indicators are the
Key Performance Indicators linked to the Key Objectives in the
Service Plan.
Data is taken from several sources including Fire Job Management
System (for Community Safety and Fire Safety figures), Remsdaq (for
Incident statistics and data relating to Best Value Performance
Indicators) and CSD (for Human Resources data) and entered into the
PB Views system.
The system compares actual data against previous year and
targets. It is a ‘traffic lights’ system which uses five colours
ranging from Dark Green (where performance significantly exceeds
comparison with target or previous year performance) to Dark Red
(where performance is significantly below target or previous
year).
A regular performance report is given to Fire Strategy Group
(senior managers of the Fire and Rescue Service) and is used to
identify problems and to drive performance improvements.
For further information on PB Views please contact a member of
the Service Improvement Team, based at Endeavour House.
Project Management
Performance is monitored through the Management Action Plan
which combines the plans of each department within Suffolk Fire
& Rescue Service. This plan is updated on a monthly basis by
individual officers and reviewed by Fire Strategy.
1:1s
Individual’s performance is monitored through supervisory 1:1s
which review work carried out and set objectives and priorities for
future work. This system enables managers to review progress on a
regular basis and ensure that work is directed towards corporate
priorities. Personal objectives are linked to Key Objectives so
individuals can clearly see how their work contributes to the
priorities of the organisation.
Station Audits
Stations are audited every two years to ensure that high
standards are being maintained.
Five areas are reviewed:
- Station Administration
- Premises
- Station Crewing
- Appliances & Equipment
- Health & Safety
A team of auditors, including uniformed and non uniformed staff,
visit each station in line with a planned programme. An audit
report is issued and remedial action planned where necessary.
An annual summary of audit findings is presented to the Fire
Management Team to ensure that strategic issues are
highlighted.