Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched a new campaign, “Prevent the call, Protect us all”, aimed at reducing unnecessary fire alarm activations. The service currently attends nearly 200 avoidable incidents each month, diverting crews from genuine emergencies.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled a new campaign designed to reduce unwanted fire alarm activations across the county.
The initiative, titled “Prevent the call, Protect us all”, targets businesses, housing providers and residents — particularly those in high-rise buildings — where false alarms are most common. On average, crews attend 196 such incidents every month, with some premises responsible for repeated callouts in a short space of time.
The service says many of these incidents are preventable. Common triggers include steam, aerosols, burnt food, smoking or vaping near detectors, poorly maintained alarm systems, inadequate staff training and accidental or malicious use of manual call points.
Group Commander for Protection, Mark Garrett, said while fire alarms are vital for safety and crews will always respond where there is a risk to life, avoidable activations can affect availability for genuine emergencies.
He added that simple steps such as regular system maintenance, improved staff training and a better understanding of what can trigger detectors can significantly reduce unnecessary callouts.
Over the coming weeks, the service will share prevention advice on social media, distribute guidance materials to local organisations and work with partners to reinforce the message.
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