Hoax calls can kill!

Hoax calls endanger the lives of others - if a fire crew is attending a hoax call they are not available to attend a real emergency.

It is illegal to make a hoax emergency call; if you are prosecuted you may face a fine of up to £5,000 or six months in prison.

If the Fire Brigade Control Operator suspects the call is suspicious, the caller will be ‘challenged’ by asking: -

"This call is being recorded, if it is a false alarm we will inform the Police, do you wish to continue?"

Even if you have caller ID restricted the telephone number the call is made from is instantly known by the operator and all calls to the Fire Brigade Control Room are recorded.

Hoax calls cost the fire brigade millions of pounds each year. But worse than that they cost peoples lives!

EVENTUALLY ONE OF THESE CALLS WILL COINCIDE WITH A GENUINE CALL AND WILL COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE.

The effect of hoax calls is that the level of service readily available to the community is reduced. Brigade Control may have to mobilise another Fire Engine which will take extra vital minutes - this may be too late.

BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR HOAX CALLERS...

Fire Safety Education is constantly monitoring hoax calls.

It is possible to identify the phone kiosk or private subscriber and it may not be long before hidden cameras are located in phone boxes!

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN - DON'T MAKE HOAX CALLS!

(The child in the photograph is an actor)