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27/05/2004
Fire Brigade hoax calls up on last year
The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade has received more than 1,500 hoax calls since the start of the year.
The figure, which is an increase of about 200 for the same period last year, was contained in a report released by the Fire Brigade on Thursday.
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer John Langtry condemned those behind such calls.
"If it's a hoax call it will be 30 minutes before that's checked out and that's 30 vital minutes when somebody will be without immediate help if they're in that area," he said.
"The resources will be tied up until that's checked out. We're going to have to rely on resources coming from other stations, from other ambulance stations, other fire stations, other police stations, so the community could be the victim."
Today's report was released during the hosting of a joint initiative between the emergency services and BT to raise awareness of the rising trend in hoax calls.
Local school children were invited to the event to show how such calls can affect the work of emergency services.
(MB)
The figure, which is an increase of about 200 for the same period last year, was contained in a report released by the Fire Brigade on Thursday.
Assistant Divisional Fire Officer John Langtry condemned those behind such calls.
"If it's a hoax call it will be 30 minutes before that's checked out and that's 30 vital minutes when somebody will be without immediate help if they're in that area," he said.
"The resources will be tied up until that's checked out. We're going to have to rely on resources coming from other stations, from other ambulance stations, other fire stations, other police stations, so the community could be the victim."
Today's report was released during the hosting of a joint initiative between the emergency services and BT to raise awareness of the rising trend in hoax calls.
Local school children were invited to the event to show how such calls can affect the work of emergency services.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
