Submitted by SWFBU on
The BBC have run a story today (Tue 15 Nov 2016) entitled “Plymouth fatal fire delayed response investigated by police”. This story concerns the Fire Service Attendance to an incident in Plymouth and a subsequent investigation being undertaken by Devon & Cornwall Police.
The Fire Brigades Union are not party to any evidence obtained or held by the Police and so are unable, at this time, to give a detailed comment regarding the mobilising procedures used within the Fire Service Control Room for this incident. The BBC are reporting that a member of Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Control Room has been suspended. We can confirm that no member of the Fire Brigades Union has been suspended.
Having spoken to the Firefighters who attended this incident we know that they responded to the incident immediately they were alerted by Fire Control and arrived at the scene within a short period of time. The Firefighters quickly deployed into the property, which was involved in fire, and undertook their duties in a speedy and highly professional manner. Speed of response and weight of attack (i.e. the appropriate number of firefighters and appliances sent to an incident) are vital in order to successfully deal with emergency incidents attended by the Fire & Rescue Service. We await the outcome of the police investigation and the commencement of any internal fire service investigation which may take place, in order to fully ascertain the facts of this case when we will then be able to make further comment.
We offer the family of the deceased our deepest and sincere condolences. 
