Fire call-outs have fallen by more than 40 per cent across Shropshire during the last four years, new figures revealed today.

A Freedom of Information request shows Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service responded to 4,156 incidents last year, compared to 7,377 in 2007. Crews also saw a reduction in the number of arson incidents it had to deal with, from 1,326 four years ago to 801 occasions in 2010.

Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service deputy chief fire officer John Redmond said: “We’re very pleased.

“We spend time looking at the figures like this to drive down the number of incidents. We are a service that responds to incidents but we also spend an awful lot of time on the preventing them in the first place.”

Property fires, including homes, schools and shops, fell by almost 40 per cent, from 1,057 in 2007 when the service’s free home fire safety checks, which provide advice on preventing fires, were first introduced, to 659 house fires in 2010.

Firefighters were also called to 1,235 crashes during the last four years, although there were more than 100 fewer incidents in 2010 compared to 2007.

“It’s all about a range of strategies,” added Mr Redmond.

“In response to malicious false alarms we have worked with the control staff initially taking the phone call, the police and people in the communities to reduce the number of incidents we’re having to deal with.

“We’re also an efficient organisation using the staff to the absolute optimum.

“At any time there are 28 full time people available to go and fight a fire. On top of that we have a part-time st-aff in communities who can respond in outlying areas.”

Mr Redmond warned that the service was challenged by Government funding cuts. He said: “It’s a very small number of staff to provide the preventive services as well as the operational services.

“Because of the current financial situation it’s up to us to continue to improve on a more limited budget.”

The figures reveal 706 cars were torched in the county during the last four years, there were22 accidental fires in schools, and seven in religious buildings between 2007 and 2010.

Animal rescues increased from 46 in 2007 to 60 in 2010.

By Paul Mannion