Latest figures have revealed the average response time for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, as almost half of incidents are false alarms.

In 2023, the fire service attended a total of 14,751 incidents in Wiltshire and Dorset.

That works out as just over 40 callouts a day.

But data released in HMICFRS's report on the fire service revealed that only 19 per cent of these incidents (2,848) were related to a fire.

7,050 callouts in the last year, which equates to 48 per cent of the total incidents attended, were false alarms.

One-third of the callouts were related to non-fire incidents, which can include rescuing trapped animals and people from buildings and assisting police in road traffic collisions. 

Almost half of callouts in Wiltshire are false alarmsAlmost half of callouts in Wiltshire are false alarms (Image: Getty) "The service's fire engines and response staff, as well as its working patterns, are designed and located to help the service respond flexibly to fires and other emergencies with the appropriate resources," said inspector Roy Wilsher in HMICFRS's latest report.

"For example, the service changed its duty system at Amesbury fire station from on-call only to both day duty and on-call.

"This investment was made because of increased risks within the station area due to residential and commercial development."

From March 2022 to 2023, Home Office data shows that Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service had an average response time of 10 minutes and 35 seconds for primary fire.

This is only seconds slower than the services target of 10 minutes, and the average of 10 minutes and 15 seconds for other comparable rural services.

In incidents involving buildings where people might be sleeping, the service automatically sends at least two fire engines and the average response time for the first engine arriving was nine minutes and 31 seconds.

Most residents in Wiltshire calling the fire service will have an engine there in 10 minutes.Most residents in Wiltshire calling the fire service will have an engine there in 10 minutes. (Image: Getty) As of October 2024, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service has now been rated 'good' in five areas including responding to fires and emergencies, and best use of resources.

It was also rated 'adequate' in two areas, 'requires improvement' in three areas and 'inadequate' in promoting values and culture.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: "The inspection process is a valuable opportunity for the Service to learn and improve, and we welcome the scrutiny and accountability it brings.

"We remain committed to serving our communities at the highest standard and our teams continue to respond to emergency incidents, deliver vital prevention advice and education, and support businesses on fire safety matters.

"We will use the report’s findings as an opportunity to keep improving."

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app