Staffordshire fire crews have attended almost 9,000 call-outs in one year
A new report shows that Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service crews attended almost 9,000 incidents in a 12-month period.
The brigade's latest Statement of Assurance performance report shows firefighters were called out less from April 2023 to March 2024 with a nine per cent reduction in incidents.
Bosses also said there was an 18 per cent fall in injuries caused by accidental fires to four, accidental business fires fell by 13 per cent to 132 and small outdoor fires fell by 29 per cent to 1,604 across the county and in Stoke-on-Trent.
However, there was a 34 per cent increase in the number of deliberate business fires to 47 in the same period. Crews also attended 869 collisions and increase of four per cent and accidental house fires went up by two per cent to 416 incidents.
Chief Fire Officer for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Rob Barber said: “It is pleasing to see that overall incidents are down and in particular house fire injuries and small outdoor fires which have seen a significant decrease.
“Whilst there has been a notable percentage increase in deliberate business fires, some of which are void premises, the numbers are still relatively low. When these incidents occur our fire investigators work closely with police to provide evidence to help bring those responsible to justice.
“Key achievements include the development of the falls response team and the home from hospital service, both providing support to vulnerable individuals and helping alleviate the pressures on the NHS and social care.”
Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Fire Ben Adams said: “This report highlights the wide range of work Staffordshire Fire & Rescue undertakes to keep us all safe. As well as responding to fires, more firefighters, staff and volunteers are engaged in prevention work that is ever more focused on protecting those most at risk.
“This work continues to evolve. I have invested in new equipment to support the Service to meet new and emerging operational challenges, some of which are a consequence of climate change or new battery and energy storage technologies that are rapidly developing in response to it.
“The falls response and home from hospital schemes continue to go from strength to strength, and have rightly been recognised nationally as excellent examples of the difference a forward-thinking Service can make for the most vulnerable in our communities.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service for their commitment and dedication in protecting the people of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.”
In October 2023 the service introduced two state-of-the-art drones to provide images of the structural integrity of building and fire spread and two new state-of-the-art aerial ladder platform vehicles.
In addition the service recruited 34 whole time firefighters, 70 on-call firefighters and 10 support staff and safe and well visits were made to almost 14,000 homes of vulnerable residents. While the public protection team carried out 280 total fire safety audits and issued 12 enforcement notices and 10 prohibition notices.
