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Merseyside Fire and Rescue service has been rated outstanding in an inspection which highlighted a raft of improvements.

Inspectors praised progress at the service over the last two years, although they noted a need to improve culture, fairness, and equality in the service.

This inspection was carried out in May 2023 and marked an improvement in several areas since a previous report.

Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said he had “never been prouder”.

Covering more than 250 square miles, the service dealt with almost 19,000 incidents last year.

The assessment by HM Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said Merseyside was outstanding in three areas, two of which had previously been rated good in 2021.

Fire engines in the area have increased to 32, and of the 23 stations in Merseyside, 13 are staffed around the clock daily, the report said.

The report said the team works well together on fire prevention, highlighting the example of a targeted campaign rolled out after a fatal fire in January. It provided information about the hazards associated with charging electric bikes and scooters.

The service was said to work well with communities and schools in the region "to target and educate people who show signs of fire setting behaviour".

Mr Garrigan said the “excellent results” show how the service has listened to past feedback and made them “even better at protecting the people of Merseyside.”

The service is the lead for a number of national issues and was praised for its work responding to major incidents.

'Sound financial management'

The report said: “The service has identified lithium-ion batteries as a new and emerging risk to people and property due to fire-related incidents."

Also, while mistakes made by Liverpool City Council last year led to energy bills skyrocketing in fire stations, the service has maintained “sound financial management” according to the report.

However, the inspectors did highlight some areas for improvement.

Issues were raised around some middle management behaviour not reflecting the organisation’s values, and they said more could be done to diversify its future and current leaders.

Councillor Les Byrom, chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority, said the report “reflects the hard work, long term commitment and effort put in by everyone across the service’.