Fire bosses in Tyne and Wear have pleaded with the government to “leave us alone” after inspectors praised the region’s services.
Councillors hailed the “exceptional workforce with an exceptional leadership team” at the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), after it was rated as ‘good’. A report released on Wednesday by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services praised the organisation for having among the fastest response times in England, reacting well to the Covid pandemic, and responding “positively and proactively” to recommendations following the Grenfell tragedy.
Members of the area’s Fire Authority were full of praise for firefighters and other staff during a meeting on Wednesday morning – and said the report was proof that the government should drop major reform plans. A Fire Reform White Paper set out in May includes plans to "improve accountability" by putting responsibility for each fire service into the hands of a single elected official such as a mayor, rather than it being overseen by a committee of councillors as is currently the case in Tyne and Wear.
