The risk of fire rightly scares us. Although only 11 per cent of domestic fires break out in the early hours of the morning it's that fear that makes us feel vulnerable. Of course there is more we can all do. In sixty percent of cases where fires caused fatalities either there were no smoke alarms fitted or they were fitted but not operational. However the positive news is that nationally the battle against fire fatalities is being won. Last year UK Firefighters attended 505,600 incidents (including false alarms) which was under half of the numbers attended just 10 years ago. The 322 recorded deaths from fire was, while still bad, the lowest number in 50 years. These trends hold true for Sussex and while our West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended an increased number of Road Traffic Accidents both fires and fire fatalities fell year-on-year.
This in part reflects the sterling work of education about fire risk. For this, as with every incident from a false alarm (as last week’s incident in West Street happily prove to be) to the horror of the Shoreham tragedy, we are indebted to the fire crews. 23 of our 25 stations are staffed in whole or part by "retained" firefighters. I enjoyed visiting the Hurst Road Fire Station recently to see an Open Day being put on for potential new "retained" recruits. Retained Staff are paid a basic annual salary to commit to being available for certain hours and then an additional top-up ("disturbance time") for call-outs. What was clear from the event was the camaraderie that existed between all the male and female firefighters as part of a very professional set-up. The firefighters I met were clearly proud of their role and for good reason. The Service has had a tough time as it has reconfigured to changing needs but we are all hugely grateful to know they are there and, in over 90 per cent of cases, less than 14 minutes away from a critical incident.