Hoax 999 calls put lives at risk

Fire boss hits out after it’s revealed HALF of call -outs are false alarms

Bogus calls account for almost half of all emergencies reported to the fire service.

A shocking new report reveals that malicious reports, dodgy alarm systems and human error wastes a massive amount of valuable crew time.

Scottish Fire and Rescue (SRFS) chiefs say that diverting teams away from real emergencies is putting lives at risk.

David Proctor, area manager for Renfrewshire, revealed the scourge in a report detailing priorities for the future.

He said: “While many incidents within Renfrewshire are as a result of a confirmed genuine emergency, on average, more than half of emergency responses made by the SFRS turn out to be false alarms.

“These alarms may be as a result of a genuine belief that a fire is occurring, which subsequently is confirmed not to be the case, or through malicious activity resulting in a report of fire being made knowing this report is false in its nature.

“There are also a number of warnings of fire, generated by alarm systems which, following an attendance and investigation, turn out to be false in their origin.

“Currently, attendances to premises which generate these false signals account, on average, for 45 per cent of all emergency responses within Renfrewshire.

“This results in disruption to

those within the premises in which the alarm activates and also to the SFRS, who, on many occasions, are diverted from other activities to attend these incidents.”

Emergency services bosses have set- out their priorities for public safety for the next 12 months.

They have put slashing the number of blazes in and out of the home, cutting injuries, tackling firebugs and reducing the number of unwanted alarm signals at the top of the list.

Senior officers have also vowed to improve readiness to take on a range of duties.

Firemen had to deal with more than 11,500 emergencies between 2011 and last year. During that period, there were 7,052 false alarms, 5,154 blazes and 1,951 non-fire call-outs.

There were 195 accidental fires in 2015/16, down from 223 three years ago.

There were 131 fatalities and casualties over the timespan, with each year seeing a reduction of more than five per cent.

But the number of deliberate fires has grown, by almost four percent over the three years to 627.

The most common cause of house fires relates to cooking, accounting for 65 per cent of all incidents, with 70 per cent of all blazes started in the kitchen.

On average, only one in five incidents require the service to directly fight the fire, with residents tackling most theselves.

Fire chiefs say early warning is “key” to alerting those inside about the dangers.

In 83 per cent of properties damaged by fire, smoke detectors saved lives.

Around 65 per cent of fires attended had no serious damage, thanks to alerts.

Smoke inhalation is the most common cause of injury, with more than half of all accidental blaze casualties aged over 50 and mostly male.

Mr Proctor added: “While attendances at non- fire related emergencies on average account for around one in every 10 operational mobilisations, and are considerably less than the number of fire related incidents, the number of fatalities and casualties are notably higher than firerelated injuries.

“While the majority of non- fire emergency casualties are as a result of road traffic collisions within Renfrewshire, another emerging trend has been identified in those people requiring assistance from other organisations.

“This results in support being requested from the SFRS in the form of forcing entry into premises to render assistance to occupants or the provision of first responder medical assistance.”