Date of Request
December 23
Request
Hi,
I hope you’re well. Please find here a Freedom of Information request for your attention. I’ve provided some questions I’d kindly like the answers to, relating to lift call outs. Please may you reply to this request within 20 working days, as required by the Freedom of Information Act.
Provide the figures in plain numbers, not percentages.
1) How many times was the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service called out to lift/elevator-related incidents in 2023? (1st Jan-31st Dec)
1a) How many of these total call outs required the fire service to rescue, or help to rescue, one or more parties stuck in a lift/elevator?
1b) How many of these total call outs were deemed as an emergency by the fire service?
1c) How many of these total call outs were deemed as a non-emergency by the fire service?
2) How many times was the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service called out to lift/elevator-related incidents in 2022? (1st Jan-31st Dec)
2a) How many of these total call outs required the fire service to rescue, or help to rescue, one or more parties stuck in a lift/elevator?
2b) How many of these total call outs were deemed as an emergency by the fire service?
2c) How many of these total call outs were deemed as a non-emergency by the fire service?
Thank you very much
Response
Dear X
Thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000.
The Service can confirm that some of the requested information is held. Please find the answers to your questions as below:
- How many times was the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service called out to lift/elevator-related incidents in 2023? (1st Jan-31st Dec)
In 2023 (Jan to Dec), Service attended 70 incidents classified as Special Service / Lift release.
1a) How many of these total call outs required the fire service to rescue, or help to rescue, one or more parties stuck in a lift/elevator?
On 51 out of 70 occasions, a person/persons deemed to be rescued by the Service personnel.
1b) How many of these total call outs were deemed as an emergency by the fire service?
Service Policy Instruction called “Emergency Driving Graded Response” distinguishes three types of response:
- emergency response (full use of blue lights, audible warnings and exemptions, as appropriate and necessary, with the “drive to arrive” principle embedded),
- emergency prompt response (exemptions, audible warnings and blue lights can be used to make progress, if necessary and as appropriate) and
- non-emergency response.
Rescue from lift has been classified as emergency prompt response based on the risk score of medium to high and this type of response apply to all attended incidents. Whether or not blue lights were used by the crews, this is unknown.
1c) How many of these total call outs were deemed as a non-emergency by the fire service?
None – please see a response to the question 1b.
2) How many times was the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service called out to lift/elevator-related incidents in 2022? (1st Jan-31st Dec)
In 2022 (Jan to Dec), Service attended 72 incidents classified as Special Service / Lift release.
2a) How many of these total call outs required the fire service to rescue, or help to rescue, one or more parties stuck in a lift/elevator?
On 48 out of 72 occasions, a person/persons deemed to be rescued by the Service personnel.
2b) How many of these total call outs were deemed as an emergency by the fire service?
Service Policy Instruction called “Emergency Driving Graded Response” distinguishes three types of response:
- emergency response (full use of blue lights, audible warnings and exemptions, as appropriate and necessary, with the “drive to arrive” principle embedded),
- emergency prompt response (exemptions, audible warnings and blue lights can be used to make progress, if necessary and as appropriate) and
- non-emergency response.
Rescue from lift has been classified as emergency prompt response based on the risk score of medium to high and this type of response apply to all attended incidents. Whether or not blue lights were used by the crews, this is unknown.
2c) How many of these total call outs were deemed as a non-emergency by the fire service?
None – please see a response to the question 2b.
Here is a link to the Service’s SPI mentioned above:
.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards
Information Governance Team