8:44am Monday 23rd July 2007
By Jenny Loweth
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says its free home safety checks have dramatically cut fire deaths and injuries in the county.
The service aims to carry out more than 56,000 checks in 2007/8.
More than 14,000 visits will be made by specialist community fire safety teams and 41,000 by station-based firefighters.
"We started offering home safety checks and fitting smoke alarms in 1996 and now complete over 4,500 every month," said Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig McIntosh. "I have no doubt that this initiative is largely responsible for the dramatic recent fall in fire deaths and injuries."
In the 12 months to March 31 2007, there were 11 preventable fire-related deaths in the home across West Yorkshire, compared to an already ambitious target of 18.
"We are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the way we campaign and target those most at risk in society because we recognise that some people are harder to influence than others and may never have contact with the fire service until a potential tragedy strikes," said Mr McIntosh.
Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority made £2.4 million in efficiency savings during 2006/7.
Savings over the past three years now total more than £10m.
"The Government expects fire authorities to make efficiency savings year on year but this is not money they can save in the bank, it is for re-investment in the service," said Councillor Peter Harrand, chairman of the Finance and Resources Committee.
"This year, for example, extra money is being ploughed into community fire safety projects."
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