fires are down 40% in the UK in the last 10 years (IIRC) - fulltime FD staffing is down approx 6% or 10%
In 1987, 8% of homes had smoke detectors. In 2012, 86% of UK homes have smoke detectors.
Automatic alarm calls are down 40% - some FDs have challenged calls since 2003 - some are starting to challenge callers in 2013
FDs have $1 BILLION in reserve funds
low cost sprinklers can cost $7,000 per household (installed)
Scotland now has just 1 FD - they will spend $50M to do the merger - they will save $600 million over 15 years (or so they say)
Denmark has private FDs - but a strong national fire leadership organisation
USA and Japan spend alot on FDs but get poor results - Singapore spends little on the FD but has very few fires
Presently - the UK has 46 FDs - 1,422 fire stations (661 are fulltime - 761 are paid on call) - there are 42,000 firefighters (28,000 are fulltime - 13,000 are paid on call) - there are 1,442 fire dispatchers - there are 8,567 support staff - 2,026 engines - 147 aerials
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10500344.Fire_service_report_sparks_key_discussion/ - Dorset FD already has 80% call men