Under the Leadership of the present Conservative Administration Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service received a visit from a group of local Government Officers and a Fellow Chair of a fire Authority to conduct an assessment of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service's bid to be classed as an Excellent Service.  Councillor David Wilson, Chairman of the Fire Authority and Councillor Julie Patten in her role as Chair of Equality and Diversity, were interviewed under the comprehensive assessment and selection process.  At the end of 3 days of investigating the announcement was made that Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has been graded an Excellent Service having meet all the criteria and showing an embedded understanding of issues needed to meet this exacting standard.  Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is only the 6th Service in England to reach this standard.