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Over recent years, HIFRS has seen a considerable increase in the number of false alarms generated by automatic fire alarm/detection systems and in 2010/11, calls of this type accounted for almost 40% of all calls received.
As such a new AFA attendance policy will be introduced later this year. This policy will:
- Facilitate the best use of limited Fire & Rescue resources
- To improve public safety by ensuring that emergency response resources are available to respond to real emergencies at all times
- To ensure that businesses who provide our part time firefighters know that the staff they release are being called to real emergencies
- To reduce the unnecessary risk to other road users, the public and fire personnel in making an emergency response to a false alarm.
The new mobilising procedure will be adopted where a call has been received by the Service from an Automatic Fire Alarm/Detection system as follows.
It must be noted that, irrespective of the risk type, should an emergency call be received by the Service via the ‘999’ system (confirming a fire in support of the AFA), an appropriate emergency response will be mobilised to the premises.
Low Risk premises: Examples of low risk premise include:
- Offices
- Shops outwith Shopping Centres
- Small commercial/factory premises
One emergency Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) appliance will be mobilised to respond to AFAs occurring in Low Risk premises for the 24hour duration of each day.
Medium Risk premises: Examples of medium risk premises include:
- Factories other than above
- Shopping centres
- Schools/Colleges
- Single dwellings (i.e. those with a linked alarm system fitted)
One emergency FRS appliance will be mobilised to respond to AFAs occurring in Medium Risk premises, between 0800 hours and 2200 hours each day. Out with these hours, an appropriate emergency response will be mobilised to the premises.
High Risk premises: Examples of high risk premises include:
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Bed and Breakfast premises
- Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Care Homes
- Hostels
One emergency FRS appliance will be mobilised to respond to AFAs occurring in High Risk premises, between 0800 hours and 1700 hours each day. Out with these hours, an appropriate emergency response will be mobilised to the premises.
In order to further publicise this Policy and promote the responsible management of AFAs, HIFRS will be holding, during September 2011, a Road Show for the business community at venues throughout the Service area. The topics presented will include:
- HIFRS Automatic Fire Alarm Attendance /Reduction Policy
- Promotion of responsible management of Automatic Fire Alarm Systems
- Responsible persons duties under Part 3 The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
We will be visiting various locations throughout September 2011 to inform and discuss a range of topics to assist business. The topics presented will include:
- HIFRS Automatic Fire Alarm Attendance /Reduction Policy
- Promotion of responsible management of Automatic Fire Alarm Systems
- Responsible persons duties under Part 3 The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
You may have already received correspondence in this regard. However, should you wish to know more about the Policy, or have any questions you want to raise and discuss, we would welcome you attend any of the following event dates: -
- Friday 2nd Sept – 2.00pm - Wick Fire Station
- Tuesday 6th Sept – 12.00noon - Kirkwall Town Hall
- Wednesday 7th Sept – 10.00am – Lerwick Fire Station
- Wednesday 14th Sept – 2.00pm - Fort William Fire Station
- Tuesday 20th Sept – 2.00pm - HIFRS Headquarters
- Friday 23rd Sept – 2.00pm - Portree Fire Station
- Wednesday 28th Sept – 10.00am - Stornoway Fire Station
- Thursday 29th Sept – 2.00pm – Dingwall Fire Station
Should you have any queries or wish to discuss the matter further then please contact Group Manager Graham Robertson on 01463 227000.
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