Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has made a further £100,000 savings in reduced insurance costs because of its excellent safety record and good management practices, it has been revealed.

The cost of public liability and employers’ liability insurance on top of insuring fire appliances and vehicles for the Shropshire brigade’s 23 fire stations was slashed when the original five year contract came up for renewal.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service are working together with West Mercia Police investigating a series of Arson attacks in the Herongate area of Shrewsbury.

The first incident was reported at about 04.30am on Tuesday 28th September 2010 when newspaper was pushed through a cat flap and set alight.

Two further cases were reported at 1.30pm 30th September 2010 and another at 02.49am 1st October 2010. On both occasions newspaper was pushed through the letterbox and set alight.

The latest incident caused damage to the front door window and wheelie bin.

Shropshire firefighters would not be able to save people from house fires and rescue victims trapped in wrecked cars without the ever important staff who work “behind the scenes,” warned the county’s fire chief.

Non-operational staff are a vital part in keeping Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service operating, Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond told retained firefighter recruits at their passing out parade.

Mr Raymond spoke out in answer to one critic who had accused the service of employing people “with silly names” who do “none jobs.”

Firefighters want the people of Cleobury Mortimer (population 2,500) to come and visit the town’s new look fire station which has just been refurbished.

A special ceremony to formally re-dedicate the station takes place on Saturday, September 11, from 10am to 1pm when the public is invited to attend.

Brigade chaplain Rev Peter Barnes will traditionally bless the new building and Councillor Stuart West, chairman of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority, will unveil a plaque to commemorate the event.

Shropshire firefighters are to “rescue” stranded casualties in a water training exercise to mirror real life rescues carried out on the fast flowing River Teme at Ludlow.

The training exercise is due to take place on September 8 between 6pm and 9pm in Ludlow to test the skills of the crews using throwlines, a boat and carrying out bankside searches for missing people.

Firefighters from Ludlow and Craven Arms will be first on scene supported by specialist crews and officers from Shrewsbury and Tweedale.