GETTING the safety message well and truly home is top of the list for Blackpool's new fire station commander.

And free, fully-fitted smoke alarm detectors for every home in Lancashire is just part of a pro-active protection plan from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's Forest Gate station.

Barry Shelmerdine has been fighting fires on the Fylde coast for more than 20 years and officially became commander at Forest Gate on August 31.

And Barry, 43, is deeply concerned about home fire safety and on the number of deliberate fires currently being started in the resort.

"Just last week we were called out to 15 deliberate fires, a number of road traffic accidents to cut people free, double figures of car fires, chip pan fires, joyriders and lift rescues. And far too many malicious hoax calls.

"Forest Gate is the main response centre for Blackpool and we also support South Shore and Bispham areas. In one year we respond to in excess of 15,000 calls -- that's an average of five a day.

"And to help combat this the fire service is changing from being a reactive force to a pro-active one. That means we are joining with Lancashire Constabulary to analyse the areas with the highest incident rate for deliberate vehicle fires-- which are Foxhall, Brunswick, Talbot and Park wards -- and offering advice and assessment.

"We are also offering a home fire risk assessment to every household in Lancashire and free smoke detectors that we will fit. In fact the crew fitted six just last Tuesday. And it's not just in the Blackpool area. If people contact us from outside the resort we will contact their local station.

"Fire affects everybody at some time in their life, whether it be through their work, home, neighbours or friends and we just hope the incident is a minor one."

Barry himself became a member of the fire service after playing football with firemen who talked him into the job. "They said it was a good job and they are right," he said. "It's unbelievably rewarding, sometimes heart-warming and at times unbelievably harrowing, but all members of the crew are completely committed to what they do."

For a home fire risk assessment and free smoke detectors or free fire safety advice 24 hours a day and 365 days a year call 302524.

Any information on malicious calls made to the fire service would be gratefully received on the Arson Hotline (0800) 555111.