Emergency callouts using sirens from January 2023 to date for Ambulance and Fire Services

​Request 726281850

Total number of emergency callouts where sirens were used, broken down by month, for the period January 2023 to present, for:

Ambulance Service

Fire and Rescue Service

Time-of-day breakdown of siren use during that period (e.g., 00:00–06:00, 06:00–12:00, etc.), if available.

Any guidelines or internal policy documents related to the use of sirens during:

Low-traffic or off-peak hours (e.g., overnight)

When returning to base

Calls where no immediate threat to life is present

Any records of complaints or public concerns raised about siren noise or overuse in the same period. 

Response

The States of Jersey Ambulance Service’s (SoJAS) vehicles do not specifically capture data on siren use. Therefore Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

The States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (SJFRS) do not capture data associated specifically with siren use. Therefore Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Extract from the current SoJAS Driving Policy:

The use of audible warnings at night (23:00-07:00) is only permitted in built up areas, if the driver deems it to be beneficial or essential to the safety of the vehicle and surrounding road users.

The audible and visual warnings are not to be used when returning to station or standby point or engaged in an urgent/non urgent journey unless the patient's condition deteriorates. If this is the case, and audible and visual warnings are used, the crew must inform the Emergency Services Control Centre. This can be done retrospectively having arrived at hospital if required, this decision would be determined by the patient’s condition.

It is the responsibility of the driver of the emergency ambulance to ensure that they have the correct authority to drive under emergency conditions. When responding to emergency calls, the following response is required:

Category 1, 2 and 3 will be undertaken utilizing all emergency warning systems.

Category 4 – not required to utilize emergency warning systems unless the driver deems it is required and appropriate.

Extract from Service Order 04-48 Driving Fire and Rescue Service Vehicles:

‘In general terms, visual and audible warning devices are required during any emergency response when road traffic law exemptions are being exercised. Specific use of warning systems is dependent upon circumstances and forms part of the EFAD training and assessment syllabus.’

Three complaints have been received by the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs in relation to siren use since 30th January 2024. Information prior to this time period is not recorded, therefore Article 3 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 has been applied.

Article applied

Article 3 - Meaning of “information held by a public authority”

For the purposes of this Law, information is held by a public authority if –

(a)     it is held by the authority, otherwise than on behalf of another person; or

(b)     it is held by another person on behalf of the authority.​