There has been a 50 per cent reduction in fires for the year so far, when compared to the same period last year.

That glowing report card was presented by acting sub-officer responsible for the fire prevention unit, Henderson Patrick yesterday.

Recent statistics from the Barbados Fire Service (BFS) show that there were 1 102 fires up to yesterday, compared to 2 111 for the same period last year, and 1 548 in 2007.

"Most significant to us, we had a reduction in structural (private dwelling houses) fires up to this point in time. The last count we had was 41, as opposed to 55 for this time last year.

"Now what this is saying to us, is that the message of fire safety is getting through and that people are responding to the information that is being placed out there," Patrick said.

On that score, he praised the media for helping the BFS to get the message out there to the public. He also encouraged the public to continue to heed the "simple" instructions and warnings.

While congratulating his colleagues for their efforts, he discouraged them from becoming complacent because of the figures.

Patrick was speaking at the launch of the BFS' After Fire Care Programme at the Probyn Street headquarters, which was introduced after the April 5 fire in New Orleans, St Michael, which took the life of ten-year-old Debrico Douglas and left 16 homeless.

The programme, which will focus on direct and in-direct victims, will see fire officers, and in some instances staff of Co-operators General Insurance, going back to the scene within 48 hours to share information, give counsel and outfit homes with smoke alarms.

The in-direct victims would be those who might not have suffered damage or loss, but might still be traumatised by the incident.

Patrick sees it as proactive on the part of the BFS.

"It will give them an opportunity, in the event that something happens, that would be able to respond and get out of the incident before they themselves are hurt," he stated. (YB)