Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has announced a significant change to its automatic response policy for fire alarms. Starting November 4, 2025, fire crews will no longer automatically attend fire alarms at certain locations unless there are confirmed signs of a fire.
This decision responds to the nearly 58,000 automatic fire alarm alerts received by the Service over the last five years, of which only 1.7% were genuine emergencies. By adjusting their response, the Service expects to save approximately £178,577.53 annually. These savings will boost firefighter availability for critical activities such as training, fire prevention, and responding to actual emergencies.
Between February and April, the Service engaged the public, businesses, and staff through a comprehensive consultation to balance efficient resource management with community safety needs. As a result, attendance to automatic fire alarms in industrial, commercial, retail, and public assembly areas will be discontinued unless activation is accompanied by confirmed fire evidence. Similarly, response to alarms in residential buildings during daytime hours will also follow this new protocol.
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However, some residential settings remain exempt from this change. Firefighters will continue to attend automatic alarms in care homes, houses of multiple occupation, sheltered accommodations, prisons, boarding schools, and hospitals without confirmation of fire. Single domestic properties and locations with nighttime sleeping risks will still receive automatic attendance.
The Service emphasizes that business owners hold responsibility for maintaining adequate fire warning systems and safety procedures to prevent and promptly report fires.
Gavin Ellis, Chief Fire Officer of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, commented: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation. Your input has been instrumental in shaping this approach. These changes aim to ensure our crews are concentrated on true emergencies and prevention efforts. We will always respond when signs of fire are reported, and this adjustment solely pertains to automatic alarm responses.”
These changes take effect from November 4, 2025, helping to optimize resource allocation while maintaining community safety standards.