While Wakefield slept through the early hours of Wednesday last week, its volunteer firefighters were called out six times in less than eight hours.
Between 1am and 8.54am, the first-responder team attended three medical events and three car accidents, including extracting a patient from one of the vehicles.
Chief fire officer Wattie Mortimer says that number of callouts does occur from time to time, but it’s usually during a weather event.
“A lot happens when people sleep! This number is pretty rare though. It just shows there’s no routine or schedule for emergencies.”
Five of the callouts required just one appliance, with four volunteers on the truck, while the sixth needed two appliances. In all,10 volunteers were involved with the six callouts.
“Some of us were pretty jaded the next day! I have to admit I had a little nap in the afternoon.
“The big thing for me is acknowledging the employers and self-employed as it can affect a day’s work.
“I want to give a shout out for employers who have staff that didn’t turn up or were a bit tired the next day.”
At night, available volunteers are alerted through a phone app, with the siren activated only when there is no response within five minutes, leaving locals to sleep through.
Callouts for Wakefield
Wednesday 12 August - morning
01:04 - Wakefield: Medical first response, 24mins 30sec
02:59 – Foxhill: Motor Vehicle Crash
04:54 – Wakefield: Medical First Response, 46mins 27sec
06:14 – Wakefield: Medical First Response, 23mins 32 sec
07:29 – Glenhope: Motor Vehicle Crash, 1hr, 14sec
08:54 – Stoke: Motor Vehicle Crash, 16mins, 01 sec
