Date: 18th February, 2022
As Storm Eunice starts to move away from the area, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is thanking residents who heeded the plea to not call 999 for general storm damage.
Between 8am and 5.30pm today (18 February), over 300 emergency calls were received by Fire Control, with many reporting fallen trees, fallen power cables and building damage. Within the same time period, there were 22 storm related incidents attended by fire crews in Dorset, and 12 in Wiltshire. In addition, five incidents have been attended by an officer in Dorset and seven in Wiltshire.
Group Manager Wayne Jones said: “Firefighters can only help when people are in danger, or electrics are involved and creating a potential fire hazard. Also, if our operators 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. Although there has been an exceptionally high number of calls received today, we do believe that people have heeded our requests and we thank them for it. Although the worst of the weather has hopefully passed, we would still urge people 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
An Amber weather warning remains in place across the Service area until 9pm tonight, so local people are also encouraged not to travel unless essential.