LONDON FIRE BRIGADE: Death from fires at their lowest since 1950s (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LONDON FIRE BRIGADE: Death from fires at their lowest since 1950s

8:54am Friday 1st February 2008 in

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DEATHS from fires are at their lowest levels since the 1950s but a watchdog has warned fire services about their lack of diversity.

The Audit Commission has rated and slated every fire service in Britain and their report was launched yesterday.

They said London Fire Brigade is 'improving strongly' since their last inspection in 2006 and gave the capital's brigade three out of four for their use of resources and received the same rating for their overall service assessment.

The Audit Commission's Chairman Michael O'Higgins said: "Today's assessment reveal a positive picture of fire fighting across England, with fewer fires taking place across the country and deaths from fires at their lowest levels in 50 years.

"For fire services to continue to improve we will need to see even greater targeting of resources at vulnerable communities and we will need to address the lack of diversity in the fire workforce.

"This is important if fire services are to effectively communicate messages about fire safety and prevention to local people, and reach people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, some of whom are at high risk from fire deaths, with those messages."

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: "We have built on the successes of previous years and it's fantastic to see the improvements we've put in place recognised with this exceptional rating."

"I'm delighted that the external assessors have recognised the high quality of the services that the London Fire Brigade and the Authority provides.

"We are committed to public safety and always looking at new ways of achieving our overall aim of making London a safer city."