Fire service changes save £1m

Changes to the way Shropshire fire and rescue services operate have benefited the county brigade by more than £1 million.

The savings have been invested into a range of initiatives, including community fire safety work and ensuring the viability of the part-time service which covers most of Shropshire.

Money has been saved as a result of the introduction nationally of what is known as Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP).

A report to Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority members shows the benefits accrued through four IRMP action plans since April 2004.

House fires have reduced by 16 per cent and the number of injuries has been in single figures for the past two years.

One of the first changes in 2004/05 was to the Automatic Fire Alarms (AFA) policy which resulted in more than 1,600 fewer emergency responses.

In turn this produced a £61,000 reduction in retained firefighter turnout fees and a saving of more than 5,400 full-time hours.

This money has been re-invested in the community fire prevention schemes.

Government research has shown that Shropshire’s AFA policy is the most cost effective of any brigade in England.

During 2004/05 the larger XL cabs were introduced at five stations, with savings of more than £360,000 since then.

A review of aerial appliance cover in 2005/06 has since led to savings of £259,000 per annum.