THERE'S been a seven per cent increase in the number of times Scottish Fire and Rescue has attended a false alarm in West Dunbartonshire, says a report.

The report, to go before members of the West Dunbartonshire Community Alliance next Wednesday, August 9, says SFRS attended 379 incidents of UFA's (Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals) within West Dunbartonshire during 2016/2017.

The report said: "SFRS attended 379 incidents within West Dunbartonshire during this reporting year, this has seen a slight increase of 7 per cent in UFAS

attendances.

"Analysis of the last four years has seen the number of incidents remain relatively static."

Unwanted Fire Alarm Signals (UFAS) are defined as incidents where an automated fire alarm system activates and results in the mobilisation of SFRS resources and when the reason for that alarm turns out to be something other than a fire emergency.

The report continues: "The increased prevalence of automatic fire detection systems throughout all classes of building has inevitably contributed to the

number of incidents recorded during this fiscal year.

"SFRS has long been aware of the importance of developing a robust process for

managing UFAS activity and we are actively engaging with persons responsible for managing automatic alarm systems and supporting and educating them to deal with identified issues."

The report also highlights the actions being taken to reduce the number of call-outs to false alarms.

It states: "A robust recording system has been implemented for monitoring UFAS activity within West Dunbartonshire and this is used to inform on the correct tactical intervention required, for example promoting the use of staff alarms within the premises and ensuring robust internal management procedures are in place.

"We have identified key SFRS personnel who will manage this system and provide the required statistical data to allow us to direct our resources to enable reduction of this type of incident in future."

The report adds: "We are committed to working with partners and other stakeholders to reduce UFAS mobilisations."