As Station Commander of Maesteg Community Fire Station, I would like to share our plans for the year ahead with you. These will provide you with an even better local service.

As ever, we aim to respond to your calls for help as quickly as we can. We intend to work harder than ever to prevent emergencies occurring in the first place. During the next twelve months we aim to:

• Carry out 600 Home Fire Safety Checks and install free smoke alarms where required.
• Visit all our local schools to educate eight and eleven year olds in the dangers of fires in general or for more specific safety information about candles, bonfires, Christmas or any faith festivity. Call the Station on 01443 232620 to arrange a visit.
• During these visits we will also carry out an Arson Risk Assessment of your school or other premises.
• Reduce the ridiculous and unnecessary number of grass and forestry fires that occur within the Maesteg area. The vast majority of these are caused by local youths and occur, amazingly, during the school holidays. This is a genuine crime, trees are an industry and belong to someone. If you can put a name to anyone who is responsible for these arson attacks please call “Crimestoppers” completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. You will not need to give your name or any other detail.
• Carry out local arson vulnerability assessments at local commercial premises and work with local services to remove litter and other potential fire hazards in order to reduce the number of fires in litter bins from 93 calls in 2007–8. Fires in litter can often spread to adjacent premises which not only disrupts your community but may also result in a loss of wages for those employed.
• Work with the Police and the Borough Council to reduce the high number of deliberate car fires in and around the Maesteg area. Most of these are stolen vehicles and have been involved in crime. If you can put a name to anyone who is responsible for commiting these crimes please call “Crimestoppers” completely anonymously on 0800 555 111. You will not need to give your name or any other detail.
• Work with the Police and other partners to educate younger drivers and reduce road traffic collisions.
• Continue to visit local factories and industrial sites on a regular basis to ensure we are adequately prepared in the event of a fire.
• Carry out 24 off-station training exercises at various locations throughout the area to ensure Firefighters remain in a high state of readiness.