Malicious Calls to Fire Brigade - 'Despicable'

Tayside Fire and Rescue are facing a malicious call every 38 hours. In the first two months of the year 64 fire appliances were sent to fires that did not exist. I have described this as a despicable thing to do. Hoax calls put the lives of firefighters at risk, they also mean that firefighting resources are being misused and may not be there for people who actually need them. Hoax calls also mean that scarce resources are being misused. At this time Tayside Fire and Rescue can ill afford to be using resources on calls that are hoaxes.

It is not funny or clever to make a hoax call. I know that Tayside Fire & Rescue are working hard educate young people about the problems hoax calls cause. A fire engine with a blue light on is an inherently dangerous vehicle. Everytime firefighters are out under a blue light they are putting their lives on the line. I know that they use their skill to minimise the risks but this is not an unrisky profession. Hoax calls are not just made by young people but it is important that everyone is educated and aware that this is a clever or a funny thing to do.

Those who protect us as firefighters deserve not to have their lives put at risk by those who make hoax calls.