Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is one of the best managed fire brigades in the UK – and they have just achieved a top quality award to prove it.
The business fire safety team, which works to keep Shropshire industry safe, has just received ISO 9001 for fire safety – the internationally recognised achievement.
It is believed to be either the first or one of the "elite few" fire and rescue services in the UK to receive the award, despite being one of the smallest brigades in the country.
"This is a big step forward. Gaining ISO 9001 is a great achievement and I am very proud of my team for being perhaps the first or one of the elite few UK Fire Safety Teams to have done so," said Mike Ablitt Head of Fire Prevention.
"The Brigade is committed to providing its business communities with the best possible support and we are delighted that the British Standards Institute auditors have recognised the quality of the department."
Group Manager Jim Quinn, who manages the business fire safety team, said that they had already played a big part in getting Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service recognised as in the top tier of the UK's 59 Fire Brigades in a recent national audit.
"This latest achievement is a reflection of the professionalism of all the staff involved. We are very proud of their achievement."
John Griffiths, Quality and Skills Manager for the service said that the award demonstrated their commitment to providing a quality service to the Shropshire business community.
The award ensured a "common sense approach" to management and meant that existing procedures had been adapted to meet the top standard, he added.
