In 1974, the merger of the following borough fire brigades: City of Liverpool, Birkenhead, Bootle, Southport, St Helens, and Wallasey.

The change of name also reflects the fact that the service, in addition to fighting fire, conducts rescues such as road traffic collisions and is heavily involved in prevention work in communities.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority is made up of five area commands as follows: Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, and St Helens.

Every fire and rescue service in England and Wales is periodically subjected to a statutory inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

On a scale of outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was rated as follows: