As many as 22 firefighters were called out to save a stuck cat in Suffolk, with five appliances from three different stations- and two of the crews from Bury St Edmunds, 60 miles away. However, it took just one chap three minutes of coaxing to get the cat down from the 30 ft high roof- before it ran away.
A turntable ladder with a two strong crew had left from Bury St Edmunds, escorted by five firefighters in a support appliance. Two five strong crews with specialist training in working at height were also dispatched from Felixstowe, 30 miles away, and Bungay, 20 miles away. In the meantime, a team of five firefighters arrived from Leiston, but one of them just used a ladder to coax the cat down.
With the situation resolved, the other crews were told they were not needed and to turn back, but they were summoned because of a rule stating that crews working on high buildings must have specialist back-up. The Taxpayers’ Alliance said:
"It’s almost laughable but wasting resources is bad news for taxpayers and others who might have needed to be rescued, so it’s not funny."
Suffolk Fire Service rejected claims the call-out had cost £10 000, saying it was no more than £250. It has since amended the high buildings policy.
Just £250 for that show out? Neat- just remember that next time you have an emergency and they try and stick you with the bill.
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