Fire service encouraged by Highland figures
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have reported an encouraging reduction in the numbers of deliberate fires and house fires in Highland.
The figures were announced on Wednesday (December 3) by Local Senior Officer for Highland, Scott Hay, who presented his second quarter report to the local scrutiny committee in Inverness.
The number of accidental house fires were down from 36 between July and Sept 2013/14 to 32 for the same period in 2014/15.
LSO Hay said: “We have been consistent in our delivery of free Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) over the past five years and it is pleasing to note a reduction in accidental dwelling fires.
“We deliver around 4,000 visits each year. We target the most vulnerable people in the communities of Highland area, particularly those who would benefit most from fire safety advice and information.
“During each visit we install free smoke detectors in properties and anyone who has not had a Home Fire Safety Visit is encouraged to get in touch and arrange one.”
The report also highlighted that no one lost their life as a result of fire in Highland during the second quarter of the year. The number of casualties as a result of fire also dropped by almost 50% when comparing the second quarter of this year to the same period last year (13 casualties in 2013/14 compared with 7 for 2014/15).
LSO Hay said: “While it is pleasing to see such a reduction there is absolutely no room for complacency and we will continue to carry out our pro-active delivery of Home Fire Safety Visits.
“These figures are encouraging and emphasise the importance of early fire detection and the presence of smoke alarms within properties.
“The more homes which are fitted with smoke detection the safer communities will be from house fires and fire related injuries.”
He continued: “We would encourage everyone to ensure they have a working smoke detector and makes sure it’s tested regularly, formulate a fire escape plan and if you are unfortunate enough to experience a fire within your home, get out, stay out, dial 999 and ask for the fire service. Never re-enter a property which is on fire.”
Deliberate fires also saw a significant reduction from 55 in the second quarter last year to 47 across the same period in 2014/15.
False alarms have also been reduced in Highland during the second quarter from 373 in 2013/14 to 344 in 2014/15.
Scott Hay said: “We have been working with duty holders to emphasise the importance of a well maintained fire alarm system to eradicate unwanted fire alarm signals.
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“We have carried out analysis of what causes fire alarm activations and have advised duty holders of steps they can take to address the issue.”
In terms of Home Fire Safety Visits, SFRS staff have delivered 91% of the second quarter target across Highland, the vast majority of which were delivered to individuals identified to be most at risk from fire.
LSO Hay concluded: “This statistic confirms the fire and rescue service’s commitment to targeting those most vulnerable in our communities and thereby ensures the necessary fire safety advice and guidance is provided to make people safer in their homes.”
