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29 June 2007
West Yorkshire’s firefighters exceeded safety targets for reducing fire-related deaths and injuries last year.
Fire services have a target of cutting preventable fire-related deaths in the home by 20 per cent by 2010. In the 12 months to 31 March 2007 the West Yorkshire total was 11, compared to the18 benchmark.
Accidental fire injuries, at 198, were also well below the 2010 objective of 271.
“Over the past year we have been ploughing greater efforts into fire safety and the results are clear to see,” said Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Craig McIntosh.
“We are undoubtedly helping to build safer local communities across the county and will continue to deliver a first-class service.”
Among the extra measures taken last year were:
- an expansion of work with young people who have a history of starting fires or making false alarm calls;
- directing specific campaigns at older people (who are known to be at greatest risk from fire) and
- closer working with partner agencies.
Mr. McIntosh explained that West Yorkshire was now carrying out 4,800 free home fire safety checks a month and had completed an amazing 175,000 over the last five years.
Councillor Philip Booth, Chair of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said that fire safety work locally was becoming increasingly sophisticated as attempts were made to reach those most vulnerable in society.
“This year, we have set aside money for a specialist worker within each district to work with people at high risk because we recognise that age and lifestyle have a huge influence on safety in the home and we need to find individually tailored solutions to many problems. The installation of a simple fire alarm is no good for some frail and infirm people.”
“Equally, success depends on much wider partnership working with local councils and the voluntary agencies because many people we desperately need to contact are already known to them. This co-operation has led to specific local objectives and I am pleased to say that in all cases the authority is so far achieving a better performance than the set targets.”