This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
The radical modernisation of the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, focusing on improved public safety, efficiency and effectiveness, is highlighted in the service’s annual report for 2010/2011 (embedded below for your convenience . Ed).
The report, by chief fire officer Paul Street, is due to go before a meeting of the full council next Wednesday (20 July).
The report emphasises a key benefit of the modernisation as being an increase in the number of wholetime firefighters for the Island. There was an increase of 19 in 2010/2011, with a further rise of five planned for 2011/2012.
Increase in number of wholetime firefighters
In 2010/2011 the service had 53 whole-time and 125 retained firefighters.
Paul Street said: “Increasing the number of wholetime firefighters will provide a nucleus of firefighters to cover any shortfalls in availability of retained duty system crews around the Island, both day and night.”
The additional wholetime firefighters would also enhance the response to road traffic collisions and allow more time to be spent on community safety prevention and protection initiatives.
The annual report highlights various achievements and areas of progress in the service in 2010/2011.
1,762 emergency calls
Operationally, the fire service control centre handled 1,762 emergency calls in 2010/2011, resulting in 2,942 appliance mobilisations (most incidents require more than one appliance).
The emergency calls included those leading to attendance at 244 primary fires (228 in 2009/2010). There were also 418 false alarms caused by automatic apparatus (427 in 2009/2010).
In addition, 82 road traffic collisions were attended and 304 co-responder calls. Co-responder calls, a partnership with the ambulance service, are where fire service personnel are trained to respond to medical emergencies in geographical areas where it is unlikely an ambulance would reach within a specified time.
Recognised with national award
Positive external acknowledgement of progress with the modernisation of the service came in October 2010 with the service receiving the British Quality Foundation’s Southern England excellence award.
Via the South East Regional Fire Service Partnership, the Island’s service secured efficiencies in the purchase of new firefighter clothing and breathing apparatus during the year – ensuring Island firefighters have the best available equipment.
Community safety through 2010/11
In terms of community safety work in 2010/2011, the service:
1: Gave fire safety education to 1,202 Year 2 pupils and 1,479 Year 5 pupils.
2: Visited 617 homes of vulnerable people to carry out fire safety checks.
3: Worked with 17 young people referred by other agencies, as part of an intervention initiative to deter fire setting.
4: Delivered two, week-long Learning Intervention Fire Education courses, educating 24 young people as part of an anti-truancy initiative.
Working with other agencies
During the year the service also undertook 889 activities – working with other enforcement agencies such as planning, environmental health and licensing – to ensure events on the Island are carried out according to strict safety guidelines.
The council’s cabinet member responsible for the fire service, Councillor Barry Abraham, said: “This annual report demonstrates the real progress that is being made with the modernisation of our fire and rescue service, and also shows the tremendous dedication and hard work of the staff who strive to make all our lives safer.”
Image: © IW Fire Service
