Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received a hoax 999 call at 8.38pm Monday 7^th October 2013 from a phone box outside the Co-Op in Lodge Lane, Bridgnorth.

The young male caller falsely reported a house was on fire in Beestons Close, Bridgnorth. Two crews from Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock and an Officer were called to the address.

Hoax calls can cost lives, whilst crews are called out to these false calls they cannot attend real emergencies and as a result fire crews have to be directed from other areas. These delays can cost lives.

The Fire Brigades Union has notified all Fire and Rescue Authorities, across England and Wales, that a strike is to take place on September 25 between noon and 4pm.

John Redmond, Chief Fire Officer for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We have been planning for potential strike action for some time and feel that we are fully prepared. However, I would appeal to the public to take extra care to keep themselves and their families safe and follow the ten point plan detailed in this article and the additional guidance that can be found on our website.

At 16.50pm on Wednesday 4^th September Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service received a 999 call from a young male who said his name was Ryan and was 12 years of age reporting a property on fire in Mount Pleasant Road Shrewsbury. The call was made from the telephone kiosk in Mount Pleasant Road near the shops.

At the time of the incident the two Shrewsbury Crews were dealing with a Large Goods Vehicle Fire in Shrewsbury nr Nescliffe.

Specialist rescue crews from Shrewsbury, Telford and Wellington carried out a dramatic rescue on the River Severn last week in Coalport.

A couple had gotten into difficulty in their hire canoe after it hit a rock and capsized. The incident happened about 400m downstream from the Woodbridge Public House.

The alarm was raised when people at the nearby caravan park heard cries for help.