A GOVERNMENT survey has found that 83 per cent of residents surveyed are satisfied with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

A GOVERNMENT survey has found that 83 per cent of residents surveyed are satisfied with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Eighty-one per cent of the people who responded to the Place Survey in Devon and Somerset also said they were satisfied that the Service provided value for money.

The results of the survey have been reported to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority's audit and performance review committee.

Central Area Commander Neil Blackburn said: "Working alongside other agencies has allowed us to effectively target our prevention activities whilst making them more accessible to all members of the community. We believe that an effective prevention strategy alongside our traditional functions will prevent many injuries and potential fatalities in the long term.

Examples of joint-agency initiatives being carried out in East and North Devon include:

* The successful Junior Life Skills events

* The Street Champions scheme

* The Country Mile Road Safety initiative

* Soccersafe youth engagement scheme

* Involvement in the Grassroots community fun days

* Torr-age Partnership involvement

The Government requires councils nationwide to send Place Surveys to local residents to focus on improving outcomes for local people and places.

The results will influence how local authorities decide on their priorities and targets and will help to shape the delivery of services across Devon and Somerset over the next few years.

To get a complete picture of residents' experience of living in the local area, councils across Devon and Somerset teamed up with other services and agencies such as Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to carry out the survey.

The survey took place at the end of 2008.