4.1 All those brigades which responded to the survey confirmed that they were actively engaged in programmes to prevent or control the number of deliberate fires. Over 95% of respondents undertook some means of fire investigation, 67% had active publicity campaigns and the same percentage also ran educational campaigns in an attempt to control and prevent such attacks. Just over half of the brigades which responded ran publicity and educational programmes, considering the two activities to becomplementary. These programmes were directed largely at the business community and, to a greater extent, school children.

4.2 To this end, many brigades had employed a press officer to liaise with the local press. Some brigades had a designated schools liaison officer or had arranged for fire prevention officers to give talks to children.