Busiest night of the year for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

06 November 2008

The night of the 5th November is traditionally the busiest of the year for the Fire and Rescue Service* and this year proved no exception - with the control room receiving 1121 emergency calls and fire service personnel attending 628 ** incidents.

The Fire Service has been highlighting the dangers associated with misuse of fireworks and the dangers of bonfires with it's 'On Reflection' campaign. The initial results are positive with bonfire related incidents attended by the Fire Service reduced by 31% and a reduction in firework related incidents of 42%.

(GMFRS attended 786 Bonfire related incidents and 71 Firework related incidents between 15th October and 6th November 2008).

Deputy County Fire Officer, Kieran Nolan said, "I hope the public will join me in thanking Greater Manchester's Fire Control Operators and Firefighters, who have again dealt so professionally with our busiest night of the year".

Mr Nolan continued, "Working with our Treacle *** partner agencies in a variety of initiatives has helped to reduce the impact that bonfires and fireworks have on our communities, which is a very positive result. However, with Bonfire night falling midweek, we are aware that many people will be planning to hold events over the next weekend and we would continue to urge people to attend an organised display".

Editor's Notes

Overall number of incidents (including all general incidents) attended by Fire Service on 5th November by borough.

• Bolton                       73
• Bury                          40
• Rochdale                   54
• Oldham                     73
• Stockport                  27
• Salford                      62
• Manchester                149
• Tameside                  47
• Trafford                    39
• Wigan                       62

 * To assist with the increased operational workload  extra personnel were drafted in to the service's control room and additional fire engines were made available. 

** Total of all emergency incidents, including bonfire and firework related. 

***Greater Manchester Fire And Rescue Service is a member of the Treacle partnership. Treacle is a multi agency initiative aimed at preventing, tackling and protecting against anti social behaviour, criminal damage and harm reduction during the Halloween and Bonfire period across Greater Manchester. Treacle partners include GMFRS, Greater Manchester Police,Local Authority Trading Standards, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive,  Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and  the Health and Safety Executive.

Press enquires
All enquiries regarding this press statement should be made to:

The Media Liaison Officer
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
146 Bolton Road
Swinton
Manchester
M27 8US