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The Isle of Wight Council's Fire and Rescue Service has been assessed as performing well by the Audit Commission.
The three-out-of-four star rating goes alongside a finding that the service is also improving well.
The finding published by the commission continues a steady improvement in the fire and rescue service in recent years. In 2006 it was judged to be two star which means it was performing only adequately. Last year it achieved a three-star rating but was judged only to be improving adequately.
In 2005, the service was one of only two in the whole country deemed poor by the commission
Welcoming the latest finding, Cllr Barry Abraham, IW Council cabinet member with responsibility for the service, said it was testament to the hard work and dedication of those running the brigade.
“You do not turn around the performance of an organisation such as a fire and rescue service without a contribution from everyone involved,” he said.
“The challenge now is to continue the improvement. The budget to be considered by full council later this month includes a proposal to invest significantly in the fire service over the next three years.
“This is to modernise the service and ensure that it continues to offer and excellent and efficient service - one of which residents continue to feel proud.
“It may be this modernisation will bring changes in the way it operates but what the service has demonstrated without question in recent years is not just a willingness to adapt but a determination to improve.”
Chief Fire Officer Paul Street said: “I am extremely pleased with the progress that the Island's Fire and Rescue Service is making. The dedication and support of my managers other personnel continues to drive change and improvement forwards.
“The future restructure of the service will enable even more improvement to be made for the community that we serve whilst ensuring a safer service for operational personnel to work in.”
Notes for editors
No Comprehensive Performance Assessment has been carried out on the service since the 2005 rating.
