A performance plan to be introduced by the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority aims to save the lives of an extra 125 people over the next ten years.

The draft Best Value Performance Plan, written by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Nigel Hutchinson, states how the authority aims to reduce deaths and the risk of deaths by working closely with other agencies to increase community safety. Under proposals in a Government White Paper, fire authorities must develop community safety services which develop preventative and protective measures whilst maintaining high standards in intervention work.

Mr Hutchinson said: "Over the next ten years to 2014, in North Yorkshire and the City of York, 125 more people will still be alive through the work of the new Fire and Rescue Service.

"This will be due to the service having significantly reduced the likelihood and severity of fire and other emergencies.

"We will achieve this through the dedication of our staff working in partnership with other agencies in the community."

The authority has set a target of reducing the annual number of accidental deaths and injuries from fire and other emergencies by 25 per cent by April 1, 2009, and by 40 per cent by April 1, 2014.

It also aims to reduce by ten per cent the risk from fire and other emergencies in all mobilising areas, as well as reducing all areas designated as high risk to medium risk by April 1, 2009.

Over the past year, the authority has been working towards the Government's modernisation agenda and developing a proactive approach to protection, prevention and increased community safety.

In an introduction to the draft performance plan, the chairman of the authority, Councillor Geoffrey Rennie, and the Chief Fire Officer, Eric Clark, said: "This is not a savings-driven exercise but a genuine desire to provide a more comprehensive and focused community safety service to our communities.

"By developing partnerships to support the delivery of this new agenda we will significantly enhance the service we provide."

The authority's audit and performance review committee will discuss the plan on Friday. The final plan is due to be distributed by the end of June.