Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Fire and Rescue Service Operational Statistics for England and Wales 2005/06

Fire and Rescue Service Operational Statistics for England and Wales 2005/06

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (106) issued by The Government News Network on 8 June 2007

Communities and Local Government published today the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) Operational Statistics bulletin, which covers operational statistics for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006.

The key points that have not been published previously are outlined below.

Equality and Diversity
There has been a gradual increase in the representation of women and minority ethnic staff over the last three years. At 31 March 2006, women formed 2.8 per cent of the operational workforce compared with 2.5 per cent in 2004/05 and minority ethnic staff formed 3 per cent of all staff (uniformed and non-uniformed combined) compared with 2.7 per cent in 2003/04.

Health and Safety
Sickness levels for wholetime firefighters and fire control staff have both improved slightly since the previous year. The number of staff retiring on grounds of ill health has also decreased over the last three years.
The total number of injuries sustained by firefighters (wholetime and retained duty system) in 2005/06 decreased by 961 to 4,593; a drop of 14 per cent on the previous year.

Operational Activities
The fire and rescue service attended a total of 840 thousand incidents. The total incidents attended were made up of the following: fires, 40 per cent; fire false alarms, 42 per cent; and non fire incidents, 19 per cent.

Notes to Editors
1. This bulletin contains the latest statistics relating to operational issues affecting Fire and Rescue Services in England. This is the fourth in the series.

2. The figures in the publication are compiled from annual returns on Fire and Rescue Service operational statistics submitted to the Communities and Local Government by Fire and Rescue Authorities. They collect information on personnel, equality and diversity, health and safety and operational activities.

3. Copies of the Fire and Rescue Service Operational Statistics for England, 2005/06 bulletin and other fire statistical publications can be downloaded via the Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1509023

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 4400;
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk

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