Firefighters emphasize 911’s importance after a false call nearly delays a kitchen fire response
UPDATE:
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Firefighters responded quickly to a kitchen fire in an Idaho Falls home on Thursday, despite a potential delay by an unfounded call.
Around 5:34 PM, the Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD) received a call from someone claiming they saw smoke coming from a chimney at a home on the west side of Idaho Falls. IFFD dispatched a large crew, including multiple engines, to the home.
The firefighters eventually realized the call was baseless. However, IFFD says the eighteen responding personnel had spent "critical moments driving in the area searching for a possible structure fire" and additional time returning to their stations.
Shortly after 5:45 PM, only minutes after the unfounded call, fire officials received a 911 call of a real emergency. The caller told IFFD a fire had started in their kitchen and everyone had self-evacuated.
IFFD says firefighters who had responded to the unfounded call quickly left their stations or diverted to the fire on the 900 block of 13th Street. There, they found heavy smoke coming from the home.
“This is a real example of why calling 911 when it’s not an emergency could lead to potentially tragic consequences,” said Idaho Falls Fire Department Battalion Chief Rob Hall. “Had the unfounded 911 call came in even two minutes later, critical resources needed to respond to this real house fire would’ve been unavailable on the other side of town.”
Although Idaho Falls firefighters responded quickly Thursday evening, three people were displaced from their home due to significant damage caused by the fire, says IFFD.
According to fire crews, Idaho Falls experienced strong winds on Thursday, and a delayed response could easily escalate, endangering lives and property.
“Calling 911 ‘for fun’ or as a prank is not only illegal but puts lives and property in danger. Our firefighters are here to help you when seconds count, so please help us by using 911 responsibly and teaching your children and teens when it’s appropriate to call 911,” Hall said.
