Date: 18th February, 2022
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to only call 999 for Storm Eunice damage where life is at risk.
Over the course of the morning, Fire Control has received dozens of 999 calls, mostly reporting fallen trees and building damage. However, firefighters can only help when people are in danger, or electrics are involved and creating a potential fire hazard.
Group Manager Darren Langdown said: “Our worry is that, while we are answering 999 calls for things where we can’t help, that could delay a response to a call where the situation is life-threatening. We would ask everyone to please consider whether there is a genuine danger before calling 999; fallen trees should be reported to the local authority, and damage to your home is something that needs to be resolved with a contractor and your insurance.”
There is a useful reference on the Service website about who to call for storm damage – www.dwfire.org.uk/who-to-call-for-storm-damage
- As of midday (18 February), there had been 11 storm related incidents attended by fire crews in Dorset, and five in Wiltshire. In addition, three incidents have been attended by an officer in Dorset, and four in Wiltshire. These have all involved fallen trees, fallen power cables or structural damage to property, and have resulted in the area being made safe or advice being given.