Storm Eunice

Overnight emergency fire control operators dealt with over 50 calls and mobilised to two incidents due to Storm Dudley.

As the county braces for the effects of Storm Eunice, the Service is calling on people to consider when to call 999 and to take action to stay safe throughout the storm.

Group Manager Dean Gazzard said: “With Storm Eunice due to hit the UK in the next 24 hours, everyone can take steps to stay safe and prevent emergencies from happening.

“I am sure people will also appreciate that during any storm the number of 999 calls we receive in our control room increases. While we are here to support all our communities when they need us, we must also consider the impact on our control room and resources when dealing with calls that aren’t an emergency. This is a good opportunity for everyone to have a look at when they should ring 999 requesting the fire service and when something could be dealt with by another agency.”

Steps to take to prevent emergencies and keep safe:

• Only travel if you need to
• If you go out, please take extra care driving, and allow more time than usual for your journey
• Drive to the conditions and be aware of debris on the roads, and be cautious when passing high-sided vehicles on open roads
• Do not ignore road closed signs and do not drive through flood water
• Make sure everything is secure in your garden, by ensuring loose items outside (furniture, trampolines, tools, and toys) are moved into a garage or shed, or secured to prevent them blowing away
• Businesses – please check outside areas for unsecured items such as umbrellas, gazebos, and seating.

When to call 999 and request fire: