Fire and Rescue Service charges
| Authority | Department of Home Affairs |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2024-05-15 |
| Outcome | Some information sent but not all held |
| Outcome date | 2024-06-12 |
| Case ID | 3858589 |
Summary
The request sought 10 years of data on Fire and Rescue Service charges for false alarms and prank calls, including unpaid amounts. The authority provided 7 years of data for false alarm charges but confirmed no charges were issued for prank calls and stated they do not hold records on unpaid charges.
Key Facts
- The authority limited the data provision to 7 years (2017-2023) instead of the requested 10 years due to Financial Regulations.
- A total of 939 charges were issued for false alarms over the 7-year period.
- Zero charges were issued for fake or prank calls during the period.
- The Department of Home Affairs does not hold information regarding the number of unpaid charges.
- Applicants were advised to contact the Treasury for information on unpaid charges.
Data Disclosed
- 2017: 136
- 2018: 120
- 2019: 135
- 2020: 117
- 2021: 131
- 2022: 124
- 2023: 176
- Total Charges Issued (939)
- Fake/Prank Calls: Total Charges Issued (0)
- 2024-05-15
- 2024-06-12
- 3858589
Exemptions Cited
- Information not held by the public authority
- Financial Regulations limiting record retention to 7 years
Original Request
For each of the past 10 years, how many times has the Fire and Rescue Service issued a charge for (a) false alarms (b) fake/prank calls and in each of those categories for each of those years, how many times has the charge not been paid?
Data Tables (1)
Data Tables (reformatted)
| Year | False Alarms: Charges Issued | Fake/Prank Calls: Charges Issued |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 136 | 0 |
| 2018 | 120 | 0 |
| 2019 | 135 | 0 |
| 2020 | 117 | 0 |
| 2021 | 131 | 0 |
| 2022 | 124 | 0 |
| 2023 | 176 | 0 |
| Total | 939 | 0 |
Full Response Text
Freedom of Information Coordinator DHA Headquarters Tromode Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM2 5AP
Telephone: (01624) 687017
Web address: www.gov.im/dha
Email: DPO-DHA@dha.gov.im
Our ref: 3858589 10 June 2024
Dear ###
We write further to your request, received 15 May 2024, which states:
"For each of the past 10 years, how many times has the Fire and Rescue Service
issued a charge for
(a) false alarms
(b) fake/prank calls
and in each of those categories for each of those years, how many times has the
charge not been paid?"
We have used the last seven years as an appropriate and reasonable period for providing the statistics as a difference to the last ten. This approach aligns with our Financial Regulations, which allow keeping financial records for this period. Therefore, it is more practical and reasonable to collate and supply seven years' worth of statistics. a) False Alarms: Total Charges Issued (939) • 2017: 136 • 2018: 120 • 2019: 135 • 2020: 117 • 2021: 131 • 2022: 124 • 2023: 176 b) Fake/Prank Calls: Total Charges Issued (0) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide information on the number of times these charges have not been paid.
In accordance with Section 9 of the Isle of Man Freedom of Information Act 2015, which relates to the duty to assist applicants, we recommend that you contact the Treasury directly to obtain the information regarding unpaid charges. They may hold the records you are seeking.
Please quote the reference number 3858589 in any future communications.
Your right to request a review
If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.
An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal
to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;
1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with
Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any
time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another
form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in
making any subsequent decision.
More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information
Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im.
Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact
me.
Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at
www.gov.im/foi.
I will now close your request as of this date.