It is reassuring to know the man in charge of East Sussex Fire Brigade is someone who has been there and done that.

Des Pritchard may be stuck behind his desk now but the 45-year-old father has taken a leading role in fighting most of the major fires in Sussex during the past few years.

But it's not just fighting fires Mr Pritchard is hoping to tackle in his new role.

He believes firefighters can help reduce hospital waiting lists and other social problems.

It is all part of his prevention rather than cure philosophy which aims to avert fires before they happen, thus avoiding the social problems generated in the aftermath of a blaze.

Smoke alarms, fire risk assessments and working in partnership with councils and the community may be the first steps but Mr Pritchard has a long way to go if he is serious in his bid to solve the community's woes. Good luck to him.