The fire & rescue service covers the county of Suffolk, which includes Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket and Felixstowe (one of the largest container ports in Europe). The service has 35 stations across the county. Its primary role is to provide effective prevention, protection and emergency response services.
The work the service does to reduce fires and fire-related deaths and injuries is a major contribution to reducing risk in the community and making Suffolk safer. The service also attend ‘special services calls’ which can include flooding, people and animal rescues, chemical spills and water rescues.
For over 160 years, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has independently assessed and reported on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and policing, in the public interest.
In summer 2017, HMIC (now HMICFRS) took on inspections of England’s fire & rescue services, assessing and reporting on their efficiency, effectiveness and leadership.
