Tell us how we should respond to automatic fire alarms (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/news/tell-us-how-we-should-respond-automatic-fire-alarms)

Tell us how we should respond to automatic fire alarms

15 Jan 2025

News

Our crews respond to an average of 16 false alarms every day due to automatic fire alarms, placing an unnecessary burden on the Service’s resources and our ability to be ready and available for genuine emergencies.

In the last five years, we have been alerted to more than 55,000 automatic fire alarms, out of which just 42 needed the hose reel jet from one of our fire engines, which is less than 0.08%.

We’re looking to see how we can reduce the number of automatic fire alarms we attend to make our Service more efficient, and make sure our firefighters are able to respond to genuine emergencies.

Chief Fire Officer Gavin Ellis said: “We will always attend if someone has reported a sign of fire. We will also always attend domestic properties, such as houses, or where there is a known night-time sleeping risk.

“I’m aware that any change to fire response can make people feel unsettled. Any change is only to what we will do in response to an automatic alert, not a report of a fire.”

More detailed information about the consultation, and a link to a public survey for feedback, is available on our website (https://www.dsfire.gov.uk/about-us/AFA-consultation). There will also be opportunities to join focus groups to discuss the options.

The information on the website sets out the reasons why we feel further change is needed and the options we are proposing to tackle the problem.

For further information, email rightresponse@dsfire.gov.uk (mailto:rightresponse@dsfire.gov.uk) or call 01392 261287.

Right response animation

We are considering changing how we respond to automatic fire alarms.

Find out why we're looking to change in this short video.

Transcript of the animation

Grey

Automatic fire alarm systems provide an early warning of fire which alerts the fire service. Out of the 55,000 notifications Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service received in the last five years we sent fire engines out nearly 27,000 times and only 42 of these were fires that needed water from the fire engines. The majority of these were in domestic properties.

Attending such a large number of false alarms is taking our firefighters away from real emergencies and working with the community. We want to change this and have published five options showing how we could respond to automatic fire alarms more effectively.

There will be no change to how we respond to domestic buildings and care homes but we are proposing to not respond automatically to some buildings such as shops and factories at certain times.

We will always attend if someone reports a sign of fire to us you can find out about the proposals and tell us what you think by visiting our website at dsfire.gov.uk
Help us to decide the right response to automatic fire alarms.