A CAMPAIGN to ban the pan and free safety checks have helped turn Cleveland Fire Brigade into one of the best in the country.

In the past 12 months, there were no accidental fire deaths and a reduction in property fires, according to a new report.

Fire chiefs are delighted with the statistics that show excellent performance for the third year in succession.

In addition, an independent fire and rescue performance Assessment by the Audit Commission shows that the bigade is performing and improving well, and consistently above minimum requirements.

Ian Hayton, executive director, of the brigade, attributes some of its success to a series of campaigns and community partnership initiatives.

He said: "The Ban The Pan Forever campaign is one of several initiatives that have helped in our work towards reducing accidental house fires, injuries and deaths.

"It is exceptional that there have been no accidental fire deaths in our area, and very few other fire and rescue services can claim the same record."

The report showed that the vast majority of actions in a four-year improvement plan have been completed, or are on track, as is the operational assessment of service delivery.

Its emergency services to the public scored a maximum four points, which shows the brigade to be performing strongly and well above minimum requirements.

There were no fire deaths in the home last year and this achievement which has continued.

The number of accidental house fires has been reduced by 45 per cent since the start of the home fire safety check scheme which, as a community safety initiative, has provided almost 70,000 homes with free fire safety advice and smoke alarms since it started in 2003.

The number of deliberate property fires has been cut in half in the past three years, deliberate house fires are down by 43 per cent and there was a 56 per cent reduction in deliberate vehicle fires.

Mr Hayton said: "The Learn and Live initiative for young drivers is a fine example of our successful education programme, which helps us keep new drivers safe on the roads.

"Hoax fire calls have also been reduced by 25 per cent in the past year, from 324 calls to 244."

... and help for deaf people

FIREFIGHTERS from Cleveland Fire Brigade will be on the streets next week to promote services available to those with hearing loss.

The scheme will tie in with Deaf Awareness Week, from Monday to Sunday, May 13.

Events, all between 10am and 3pm, will take place at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool, on Tuesday; Redcar High Street, on Wednesday; Captain Cook Square, Middlesbrough, on Thursday and Stockton High Street, next Friday.

As well as the fire brigade, other organisations will offer information to those with hearing loss.

Laura McQuillan, the brigade's deaf person's advocate, said: "My role is to increase fire safety awareness for those with hearing loss.

"I carry out safety talks in British sign language, and also carry out home fire safety checks.