Fire crews ‘among best in country’

Feb 1 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

Mersey fire crews ‘among the best’

MERSEYSIDE’S fire crews are trumpeted as being among the best in the country in a new report.

The latest audit commission report into England’s 46 fire authorities praises Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for fostering a “culture of improvement”.

The authority remained one of only two excellent services in England.

The report says it is improving “well”, one grade below the top “strongly” tag.

The commission said: “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has built a culture of managing performance to drive improvement.

“Performance management is integrated in day-to-day activity at all levels.

“There is a rigorous approach to collecting and analysing data, not only within the Service itself, but also in work with partners.”

Murder inquiry suspect bailed

A MAN who was arrested in connection with the murder of Henry McHarron has been released on bail pending further enquiries. The 30-year-old man from St Helens had been arrested on Wednesday. Mr McHarron died in April, 2007, two days after he suffered serious head injuries as he was thrown from his newspaper distribution van when it was hijacked in Norris Green.

Abortion row

THE row over the 24-week abortion limit intensified yesterday after it emerged survival rates for very premature babies have more than doubled at a top hospital. A study from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) found survival rates for babies born alive between 22 and 25 weeks of gestation rose from 32% in 1981 to 71% in 2000.

Husband held

THE husband of a Bafta-nominated make-up artist who disappeared was arrested yesterday on suspicion of her murder, sources said. Diane Chenery-Wickens, 48, who has worked on shows including Dead Ringers, The League Of Gentlemen and Casualty, has not been seen or heard of since last Thursday.

Charity night

LIVERPOOL star Peter Crouch joined Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah last night as they attended a charity event for cystic fibrosis at London’s Dorchester Hotel.