Fire chief hails county 'safer now than it has ever been'

The county's fire and rescue service has now completed 333,000 free visits over the past five years – and those who have yet to be visited are being urged to get in touch.

Chief fire officer Simon Pilling said: "There's no doubt that our ambitious programme of home visits, smoke alarm installation and fire prevention campaigns have had a radical impact on our communities. West Yorkshire is safer now than it's ever been.

"We used to see 30-40 fire deaths every year. In 2009/10 there were 11 accidental fire fatalities – that's 11 too many but nevertheless a huge difference."

Mr Pilling said that by 2013 he was determined that his staff would have visited 450,000 homes– over half the county total.

"Every time we fight a fire it's a sign of failure because the vast majority of fires are preventable if people are offered timely advice and practical help."

Mr Pilling said that partnership working and information sharing was now the key to further success because that was the best way to identify and target those at greatest risk and in greatest need.

Fire and rescue still accounts for most of the budget but fire safety and community relations work now accounts for almost 12m a year.

Coun David Ridgway, chairman of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, said: "Our brigade was one of the pioneers of community fire safety but we've yet to reach many people who could most benefit, including the elderly and housebound.

"I appeal to everyone who may need a visit – or know of a relative or friend who might need one – to contact their local fire station or ring our hotline: 0800 587 45 36."

Efforts to crack down on unnecessary fires helped drive down the total number of incidents from 36,667 in 2008/9 to 34,324. Calls to fires involving people or property dipped to 4,384 (12.8 per cent).

Malicious calls which potentially distract firefighters from genuine and lifethreatening emergencies fell from 1,165 to just 713.

There were 80 attacks reported against staff on duty, which represented a 37 per cent reduction on 2008/9.