DORSET and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has been rated good in three core themes, but needs to improve in some areas to give a consistently good service, according to a new report.

It comes after a year long inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), who published the report today.

HMICFRS analysed data and documents over the last year, as well as visiting the service, to assess it against three themes – effectiveness, efficiency and how well it looks after its people.

It found that the service was "good' across the three core themes, one of only eight fire and rescue services to achieve this.

Specifically, the service is good at preventing fires and other risks, protecting the public through fire regulation, responding to emergencies, responding to national risks, promoting the right values and culture, getting the right people with the right skills, ensuring fairness and promoting diversity and managing performance and developing leaders.

The service does however require improvement to how it understands risk, as well its response to fires, and in particular, it needs to ensure it has enough on-call appliances available and to ensure it meets its standards on response times, especially in some rural areas.

Chief Fire Officer Ben Ansell said: “I am delighted that the Service has been independently recognised by the Inspectorate for all the good work that takes place across Dorset and Wiltshire to keep our communities safe from fire and the other emergencies that we deal with.

"The inspection process was a good experience that has provided us with a good platform to build upon. We will continue to build on the great work that is being delivered for our communities.”

He added: “I am very proud of our organisation and all the fantastic work done by my staff. They work really hard to give the best possible service they can to all those who need our help or work with us.

"This result is even more impressive if you consider that this is a new Service, coming into existence just over three years ago.”

HMICFRS also praised the service for its prevention initiatives, education, approach to social media, making good use of the money available to deliver an effective operational service and the open and honest culture within the organisation

Chair of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Rebecca Knox, said: “This is a great outcome for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. It is extremely reassuring that we have such an effective fire and rescue service.

"On behalf of the Authority and the residents we represent, I would like to thank all staff for their professionalism in delivering this highly skilled service.

To see the full report, go to http://justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/frs-assessment/frs-2018/dorset-and-wiltshire