Hoax fire call-outs costing €3.2m per year

HOAX phone calls to the fire service are costing up to €3.2 million each year and putting hundreds of lives at risk, it was claimed yesterday.

According to figures from the Fire Services Bulletin, from 2001-2005, 16,192 hoax calls were made to the fire service, an average of 3,238 calls per year.

It has been estimated that every call-out costs approximately €1,000 and as well as the financial cost, the hoax calls endanger lives by diverting emergency services from those in genuine need.

“The figures are a chilling snapshot of irresponsibility,” said Clare Fianna Fáil Senator Brendan Daly.

“Each year, pranksters are wasting the time of our brave firefighters, costing taxpayers money and jeopardising the lives of those most in need.

“Perhaps it is time to introduce tougher legislation that really punishes pranksters who have no regard for human life.”

He called for a special garda operation targeted at tracking down the hoax callers so that they might be made to pay the costs of the wasted call-out.