False alarms are filtered out

Of 12,607 emergencies attended this year around half have been false alarms, and of these 68 per cent were due to automatic systems triggering an unnecessary 999 response.

This week East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) said its 999 mobilising and communications centre teams will in future be challenging automated fire system emergency calls.

The new “call questioning” aims to cut the number of false alarms and prevent firefighters being sent on unnecessary blue-light journeys. 999 callers reporting fire alarms will be asked about the fire alarm actuation.

If the caller confirms that the alarm is not due to a fire, but caused by fumes from cooking, steam, cigarette smoke, aerosol use, dust or some other non-fire situation, firefighters will not attend.

ESFRS will ensure that a responsible person is reporting the cause of the alarm, but if there is any doubt, an emergency response will be made.

Bob Trotter, for ESFRS, said: “We are committed to many initiatives to prevent fires, and to providing a first-class emergency response to a wide range of incidents.

“With public safety as our number one priority, we want to ensure that we utilise our resources effectively and not let operational teams be distracted by false alarms.”

But he added: “It must be emphasised that we still need to be called at the earliest opportunity for any real or suspected fire.”