The number of fires and incidents that needed the attendance of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) decreased in 2020/21 according to a report published this week.

In the service's Annual Statement of Assurance, the number of fires and incidents reduced by 5% and 7% respectively.

As well as fires, firefighters are also called to help with road traffic collisions, animal and water rescues, rescues from heights or confined spaces, incidents involving hazardous chemicals and to support the other emergency services.

Of the fires and other incidents that NFRS firefighters did attend, they rescued 1,277 people. The response standard is to attend all incidents, from the time they are mobilised in an average of eight minutes. NFRS managed to reach those in danger within an average of seven minutes and 50 seconds.

Decreases in fires and other incidents allow firefighters to focus on preventing incidents from happening, by visiting or speaking with those who could be at risk of a fire in their home or by holding events to engage with communities.

During 2020/21, NFRS firefighters and their specialist Prevention team staff delivered nearly 6,000 Safe and Well visits. This involves giving fire safety advice and fitting smoke alarms to ensure that people are safe in their homes. These staff also completed 150 fire, road or water safety initiatives.

In addition, NFRS staff assisted with a range of humanitarian work during the pandemic, including administering vaccinations, building test centres, and delivering medicine or food parcels.

To date, NFRS staff have helped to give vaccinations to over 71,500 people, deliver over 12,500 food or medicine parcels and build 22 testing centres.

Chief Fire Officer John Buckley said: "We are really proud to deliver the best service that we possibly can to people, which helps to reduce incidents and save lives.

"When we are not responding to emergencies, we use our time wisely by helping to improve fire safety in our communities or by supporting our partners.

"Everyone at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is proud to serve you, and we will keep working hard to drive risks down even further in the future."

Councillor Michael Payne, Chair of the Fire Authority, said: "I have been very reassured by this report that our fire service is taking every opportunity to improve public safety.

"The annual report makes sure that the Service is achieving its longer-term strategy and is fulfilling its ambition of creating even safer communities.

"I would like to thank the Service for doing its very best for the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire."

The Annual Statement of Assurance can be found here .