of the British Broadcasting Corporation
Tuesday,
19 April, 2005, 21:59 UK
Charges to cut false fire calls
Devon's Fire and Rescue Service is introducing a new system to try to
cut false alarm call-outs.
The service says it receives nearly 6,000 calls a year to automatic fire
alarms, but only about 7% of those incidents actually involve a fire.
Organisations affected by false alarms will now need to buy a reference number which will be kept on a database.
The number, which will cost £35, will then be used by the brigade to ensure they keep an efficient system.
The brigade's Community Safety Manager, Divisional Officer Pete Smith, said: "We believe this policy will make a significant impact on the reduction of false alarm calls.
"The majority of calls to automatic fire alarms are false alarms. When our crews are tied up investigating a false alarm, it affects our ability to respond to a real emergency."
The brigade said it was taking the stance as a result following national guidance from the Chief Fire Officers' Association and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
