§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance indices he uses to monitor the comparative performanceof different fire brigades.
§ Mr. Giles ShawMy concern is that brigades provide effective, efficient and economical fire protection. We look accordingly to professional advice on, amongst other things, the characteristics of particular brigade areas and on the ratio of firefighters to pumping and other appliances; the ratio of management and supervisory staff to firefighters who ride on appliances; on the staffing of fire prevention departments; and on training provision.
§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in the numbers of firemen, supervisory grades and management grades have occurred in the West Yorkshire fire services since 1974; and during this period what changes have occurred in the number of fires attended and the average response time.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe available information is shown in the table. Information on the number of fires attended by each fire brigade has been published annually since 1976 by the Home Office in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom" (in the supplements to the main volumes before 1982). The number of such fires shown in the table excludes chimney fires. Information on average response times could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
333W
West Yorkshire Fire Service Year Whole time operational strength (as at 31 December) Retained operational strength (as at 31 December) in 24 hour units Number of fires attended 1974 1,431 332 na 1975 1,554 289 na 1976 1,591 275 15,722 1977 1,596 269 9,618 1978 1,696 263 9,146 1979 1,849 268 9,905 1980 1,808 319 11,029 1981 1,774 305 10,314 1982 1,802 328 11,941 1983 1,805 316 11,369 1984 1,802 281 15,606 1985 1,858 264 na na means not available.
§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how statistics of incidents attended by fire brigades are collated; and what measures are taken to ensure that double counting of incidents does not occur when more than one fire station is called out.
§ Mr. Giles ShawStatistics of incidents attended by local authority fire brigades are compiled by the Home Office from reports submitted by the brigades. Information for England and Wales is published annually in "Fire Statistics United Kingdom", and in the report of Her Majesty's inspector of fire services. The guidance provided to brigades by the Home Office as to who completes a fire report should prevent double counting where more than one station attends the same fire. The report is usually completed by the person in charge of fire fighting at the scene of the fire or by a person deputed to do so.