NEW FIRE SERVICE ADVISORY UNIT WELCOMED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Council leaders have welcomed the establishment of a new unit to give government ministers and civil servants independent advice on fire and rescue services as a step in the right direction. A new post of Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser is being created to head the group, which should be at work by the summer and which will replace the present Inspectorate.
The Local Government Association said the new unit would have an important role to play in bringing innovation and professionalism to the service. Councillor Les Byrom, who chairs the Association’s Fire Services Management Committee, said, “HM Fire Services Inspectorate has provided a valued service to fire and rescue authorities over many years, but that role has now changed. We now need an adviser who will bring drive and an emphasis on delivering the best ideas to help save lives and prevent fires.”He said the Chief Adviser should be able to provide advice to fire authority members, as well as to the government and civil servants. There were times, he said, when elected members needed an independent view from someone outside their own service.
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