Emergency Calls

[Purple_Popple]

I had cause to call the Fire Brigade out earlier while i was out as I passed a litter bin blazing away at the side of a field, I called 999 for the Fire Service and immediately apologised to the operator for the call as it wasnt an emergency and felt guilty dialling it. The police have a 101 number to call in non-emergencies, but does anyone know if the Fire/Coastguard have an alternative 'non emergency' number ?

[Buenchico]

No.

The police have 101, the health service has (or will have, depending upon where you live) 111 but there's no national number for non-urgent calls to the fire service or coastguard (although, of course, you can find a number for the county fire service HQ or for HM Coastguard offices).

Anyway, the fire service regards all fires as 'emergencies' so you've no need to feel guilty.

Although, as the end of my post here shows, it can still be rather embarrassing when you call the fire brigade . . .
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question515427.html#answer-2468923
;-)

[Ronnie10]

I usually just put out small fires like this with my two litre bottle of water i always carry around for such purposes.

Next time flag down a passing car as if they're anything like the users here will be safety conscious and carry fire extinguishers as well as first aid kits and warning triangles.

[IggyB]

The Police and Ambulance need a non emergency number as they are so busy... the fire and rescue service don't really have as much to do so will mobilise everything to a half hearted bonfire if requested just for something to do

[EvianBaby]

"if they're anything like the users here will be safety conscious and carry fire extinguishers as well as first aid kits and warning triangles."

Can I have a show of hands of people who keep all this in their car?

[ummmm]

Yeah, I do....

[ummmm]

I was joking. I don't even have any plasters :-)

[EvianBaby]

I barely even have petrol and oil. Never mind frivolous extras! ;)

[B00]

"Can I have a show of hands of people who keep all this in their car? "

errr no, we don't. Not even the fist aid kit, unless im with him and ive a pocket sized one in my handbag.

[Sqad]

BOO. Keen on"Budgeting For the Credit Crunch"in the car eh!

[tonyav]

Maybe not but do you carry around a 2 litre bottle of water for such purposes.

[daffy654]

Oh has absolutely no safety equipment in his car, no first aid kit, not even a torch.

[daffy654]

Anybody who did carry a 2ltr bottle of water for such purposes (really?!?) must be a little paranoid.

[EvianBaby]

Me neither Daffy, I can't really see how anything like that would come in useful.

But of course I always carry a large bottle of water with me, just in case of passing bin fires. Who doesn't.

[B00]

"BOO. Keen on"Budgeting For the Credit Crunch"in the car eh! "

Huh?

[Sqad]

BOO...forget it!

It was a skit on part of your post..".fist aid kit"........quite a clever quip by sqad, but the humourless senser,re interpreted it.

No big deal.

[THECORBYLOON]

I'm thinking on investing in an emergency bottle of water but what is more effective, still or fizzy?

[rockyracoon]

Ronnie10 "I usually just put out small fires like this with my two litre bottle of water i always carry around for such purposes"

Thank you, LOL, that's given me the best laugh, great start to the day.

[fbg40]

Iggy B
As a retired Fireman (25 years with London) I take exception to your remark " just for something to do". If you honestly think that all they do is sit about all day then I suggest you are totally mistaken. Unless you have a good knowledge of how the Fire Service works then I suggest you keep that type of remark to yourself.
FBG40

[IggyB]

In comparison to ambulance and police the fire and rescue service have much lower activity levels, if you are unable to accept reality I suggest you refrain from participating in discussion.
Iggy

[fbg40]

IggyB
I do accept reality and I know (probably more than you do) that the Fire Service is a lot less busy than the other emergency services. However what prompted me to my first "answer" was the remark "just for something to do" - what do you imply by this remark ??
FBG40