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Calls for north-east firefighters to fine time wasters who risk lives

Councillor Martin Greig
Councillor Martin Greig

Calls have been made to give firefighters the power to fine those who repeatedly waste their time due to faulty fire alarms.

False alarms attended by Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire fire crews has soared in recent years, prompting fears the service could be losing out on the essential man hours and cash it needs to battle real blazes.

One of the reasons for the growing number is an increase in smoke alarms in homes, but another major cause is malfunctioning equipment.

London Fire Brigade has been charging such repeat offenders since 2014, but the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has no power to impose financial punishments.

Now local politicians are arguing the crews in Scotland should be given the same authority.

The high number of false alarms is so severe that the SFRS has given Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire a “red status”.

Over the last six months, stations across the Granite City recorded 1,200 unnecessary call-outs – an increase of 300 since 2012.

And in Aberdeenshire, crews were dispatched to 572 in last year’s recording period, a jump of 188 since 2011.

Councillor Martin Greig, chairman of the Aberdeen Community Safety Partnership said: “I can see why there could be a need to bring in fines, and I think that’s something worth exploring.

“I think there may be a case for repeat offenders to be approached, warned, educated, and even penalised if there is an element of negligence.”

Councillor Willie Young, finance convener for Aberdeen City Council, added: “As with parking cars illegally on double yellow lines, a fixed penalty notice could be something to look at.

“Firefighter time is wasted going out to all these false alarms. It’s costing them a fortune, but they have to go out to each one because at the end of the day, they do not know if it’s a real fire or not.

“And if it is a false alarm, and it’s caused by a repeat offender who does not service their equipment properly, then why should the public purse pick up the cost?

“Because at the minute, that’s what’s happening.”

A fire service spokesman said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is actively seeking to reduce unwanted fire alarm signals by working in close partnership with duty holders across Scotland.

“The reduction of unnecessary blue light journeys would reduce road risk, the risk to our communities and the risk to our firefighters.

“There are no mechanisms in Scottish legislation to charge duty holders where there are repeat calls.

“But where there are repeat calls, we work to educate duty holders and make them aware of the potential impact on our service and our communities.”