Inspectors have found Merseyside's fire and rescue service are working to prevent fires before they happen - and saving lives.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services looked in to the service's operations, finding it is "outstanding" in its prevention work.
The report looked at how effective and efficient the service is at fire prevention, as well as how staff are looked after by the organisation.
Inspectors assessed the service as "good" in all three main categories, while it was found to be "outstanding" in its work to respond to national incidents and to prevent fires and other risks.
Over a 12-month period the service carried out more than three times as many home fire safety checks per 1,000 people than the average English force.
Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said: ‘This is an excellent result and I am very pleased that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate saw the same dedication and professionalism I see every day in our people; irrespective of the rolethey fulfil they go above and beyond to protect our communities.
"I am immensely proud of each and every one of them, they are highly professional, totally committed and incredibly compassionate, they are a credit to our service and to Merseyside."
The report concluded that the service understands risks in its local community and exceeds its own target of attending all life risk incidents within 10 minutes on more than 90% of occasions, with an average response to primary fires of seven minutes and 29 seconds.
For free fire safety advice or to request a home fire safety check, call 0800 731 5958.
