Spalding fire crews help service rise from ashes

Description:

Firefighters in Spalding and South Holland have been praised for playing their part in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by house fires across Lincolnshire.

Their efforts have resulted in Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue receiving a "good" rating in an Audit Commission report - a rise of three categories since it was rated as "poor" in 2005.

Findings highlighted by the Audit Commission include that the service has strong leadership from its Chief Fire Officer and management team and that it has clear plans for future improvement.

Chief Fire Officer Mike Thomas said: "The Audit Commission has also praised our fire prevention work, partnerships with other organisations and efforts in areas such as road safety and helping vulnerable people in the community to stay safe.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to all the employees of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue who have worked hard during the past three years to turn this service around from one which was one of the worst to one which is now one of the most improved."