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New research has revealed Stirling to be the false-alarm capital of Scotland for fire callouts. A Freedom of Information request from workplace health and safety firm Direct365 asked 45 Fire and Rescue Services across the UK about the number of callouts they had attended from the period of August 2024 to the end of July this year. The data revealed that 59 per cent of all callouts in the Stirling had been revealed to be a false alarm, 15 points above the national average of 44.5 per cent. Nearby Clackmannanshire also recorded a high number of false alarms for SFRS staff, with 55 per cent of all callouts there recorded as false alarms. Those figures put them as first and third across the whole of the UK, with only the Orkney Islands sandwiching the pair. The FoI findings recorded a total of 36,315 callouts which were then believed to be false alarms, with another 26,888 for fires and 16, 198 for ‘special services’ requiring the attendance of firefighters. Karl Bantleman from Direct365 said: “Data from Fire and Rescue Services across the UK clearly illustrates the tireless, around-the-clock work of this sector, ensuring our nation’s safety. “It may be surprising to learn that false alarms constitute a large volume of their callouts compared to actual fires and special service incidents. “However, if you ever feel in danger, it is vital to trust your instinct and contact the relevant emergency service, even if that results in a false alarm.”
