Fire deaths tumble across region as prevention measures pay off

Five people died in accidental house fires in 2009/2010, compared to nine in 2008/09 and eight the year before that. Over the last 12 months, the number of people injured in house fires has also been reduced from 265 to 80.

The overall number of accidental house fires has also dropped to 699, compared to 776 last year and more than 900 three years ago.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said that prevention work carried out by firefighters, such as installing smoke alarms in people's homes, has been a "major factor in the reduction."

The fire service's head of prevention and protection, Phil Shillito, said: "Deaths in accidental house fires are entirely preventable.

"These latest figures offer yet more evidence that our tireless prevention work is leading to tangible reductions in injuries and fatalities across the county.

"But every single death is extremely regrettable, and that's why we must continue to work hard with our partners to continue this downward trend, working in particular to provide support and assistance to those members of our communities who are particularly at risk."

Last year members of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) in South Yorkshire carried out a series of strikes over plans by the service to change shift times from 15-hour night shifts and nine-hour day shifts to two 12-hour shifts of equal length.

Bosses at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said that the changes would result in about 4m of efficiency savings and also enable firefighters to carry out more prevention work in the community.

After a long-running dispute and lengthy discussions involving an independent arbitrator, a new agreement was finally reached last month which means that firefighters now work 11-hour day shifts and 13-hour night shifts.

A fire service spokesman added: "Free home safety checks remain the cornerstone of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's prevention agenda, complementing a portfolio of other community safety initiatives such as schools work and targeted awareness campaigns."

Although the fire service has seen a reduction in injuries and deaths this year, however, there could be potential difficulties in the years to come as the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority faces a major reduction in Government funding.

Over the next four years the authority's funding is expected to be cut by between 10 and 20 per cent - equal to more than 6m.

A "consultation exercise" is soon set to be launched with both the fire service and members of the public, to look at how money could be saved.

The authority, meanwhile, has denied that it already has plans in place to save cash by "downgrading" fire stations in Lowedges, Rivelin and Thorne, turning them into "retained stations" where crews are not based permanently, but called in in an emergency.

Councillor Jim Andrews, chairman of the region's fire authority, said: "No decisions have been made as yet. Any speculation on the decisions is very unwelcome as this only serves to cause unnecessary distress to many people in the community.

"The fire service is a public-funded service and as such will not be exempt from any possible future cuts. We will work with everyone to ensure we retain a first-class fire and rescue service in South Yorkshire.

"We would however be failing in our duty if we didn't look at all options available to ensure the service makes the most efficient and effective use of the public funding it receives."