False fire alarms strain Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire fire services with over 30,000 callouts since 2019
Iain Hoey
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False fire alarms create strain on resources and safety
New data from Personal Injury Claims UK, based on Freedom of Information requests, shows Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Services have responded to more than 30,000 false alarms since 2019.
According to the findings, these incidents are often linked to faulty equipment and user error, leading to increased demands on fire service budgets and potential risks to public safety.
The false alarms have significantly affected both counties, taking up critical resources that might otherwise be used in genuine emergencies.
The analysis highlights the challenge of managing these calls as operational pressures mount, creating risks that extend beyond the fire service, potentially impacting the community’s overall safety.
False alarms in Northamptonshire
In Northamptonshire, fire services attended 9,740 false alarms over the last five years, averaging nearly five incidents per day.
Annual false alarm callouts fluctuated, peaking in 2019/20 with 2,000 recorded incidents.
Callouts dipped to 1,734 in 2020/21, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, before rising again to 2,123 incidents in 2023/24.
The primary causes of these false alarms include faulty equipment, poor maintenance, and common household activities such as cooking fumes and steam.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service voiced concerns about the impact of these unnecessary incidents, stating: “Unwanted fire signals have a serious impact on the fire and rescue service, diverting firefighters from other genuine emergencies and potentially life-saving activity.
“It also has the potential for the alarm system to lose credibility, causing people to become complacent in the event of a real fire.”
Nottinghamshire’s experience with false alarms
In Nottinghamshire, 21,561 false alarms were reported over the same period, averaging about 11 incidents daily.
Incident numbers ranged from 3,840 during pandemic lockdowns to a high of 4,983 in 2023/24.
The Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service noted that false alarms are commonly linked to user-related issues, such as improper handling of sensors or insufficient maintenance practices.
A statement from the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service explained: “Attending unnecessary incidents like false alarms is a resource-intensive drain on our organisation and diverts us away from those that may need us most in emergency situations.
“It also impacts on the vital prevention work and training we undertake, whilst increasing the risk to other road users and the environment through increased numbers of fire appliance blue light journeys.”
Impact of false alarms across the UK
According to a study by BRE Group, false alarms account for 38% of all fire service incidents in the UK, costing around £1 billion annually.
In addition to financial strain, frequent false alarms pose operational challenges for fire services, reducing their capacity for prevention efforts and essential training.
If these trends persist, the cumulative effects could compromise public safety, with the need for careful management to ensure that genuine emergencies receive priority.
False alarms strain Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire fire services with over 30,000 callouts since 2019: Summary
New data from Personal Injury Claims UK reveals that Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Services responded to over 30,000 false alarms from 2019 to 2024, primarily due to equipment faults and user error.
Northamptonshire fire services recorded 9,740 false alarms, while Nottinghamshire reported 21,561, with both counties experiencing fluctuations in annual callouts.
The incidents have diverted resources from essential fire service activities and raised concerns over public safety.
False alarms account for a substantial portion of the UK’s fire service callouts, amounting to 38% of all incidents and incurring a national cost of £1 billion annually.
