Number of 999 fire service calls halve in 11 years

The number of 999 calls fell by 28,424 between 2003/04 and 2014/15

The number of 999 calls to Welsh fire services has halved in 11 years.

In 2003/04, there were 55,556 calls, including false alarms, which dropped to 27,132 in 2014/15.

Fires in non-derelict buildings, cars or any blaze involving a casualty fell from 11,802 to 4,560 in the same time.

In north, mid and west Wales these "primary fire" calls fell by half while fires around south Wales dropped about two-thirds.

A report into fires across Wales since 2001/02 said fire safety campaigns and work done with people across Wales could be a factor in the fall.

Senior fire safety manager Stuart Millington, from North Wales fire service said: "We have a dedicated team of staff whose role is to educate the public and business about how to prevent fires occurring."

"Secondary fires" involving bins, grassland and derelict buildings and roads fell from 23,742 to 6,541 in the same 11-year period.

False alarms accounted for more than half of all callouts in 2014/15 with almost 15,500 not requiring any action by firefighters.

Roger Thomas, corporate head of response at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the reduction in the number of calls is not a surprise.

"Despite a climate of reduced funding, it is the direct result of the investment and focus we've made, in partnership with other agencies, in proactive, preventative measures such as education, community programs and safety campaigns."

South Wales Fire Service assistant chief fire officer Richard Prendergast said: "The reduction in fire calls through our prevention work has enabled us to train, prepare for and deliver wider critical services that the public of south Wales value."