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DS Risk Warning: 28 March: Extinction Rebellion Demonstration ‘Sound the Alarms’ 10 - 4 pm



Hello all,

Avon and Somerset Police have informed us of an ‘organised civil disobedience’ event that may take place today, Thursday 28th March, whereby members of Extinction Rebellion and possibly sympathisers are proposing to set off multiple [fire] alarms. 

There is no known information on which buildings/when but the assumption is that they will target schools, institutions and public buildings.

The Bristol Director Education and Skills has shared this scant information with Bristol schools and nothing more. We haven't heard that it has been distributed more widely so we do so just in case to our Agreement/SLA customers.

Fire doesn't give notice of where and when it will occur so our best advice, unless you have a delay on the system that allows checking the status of the issue before the alarm sounders go live, is to take any activation seriously and evacuate. If it turns out to be a hoax, false activation, etc, why not log it as an alternative to your term 5 drill that we recommend?

There will be an issue for alarm answering companies and the fire and rescue service potentially if this warning turns to any sort of reality and we can anticipate overloading of capacity. If you are unfortunate enough to have an activation and there is a real cause, I suggest multiple person 999 calls to ensure Fire and Rescue are aided in their prioritisation. You may have to activate your 'GET OUT and GET AWAY' plan to your prearranged fall back accommodation.

Mis-use of fire alarms is potentially a criminal offence under the '74 Act and a disciplinary matter if done by a member of staff ( or a pupil) if a perpetrator is identified.

Of course the protesters might say one thing and do something else entirely!

All the best.

Bill

-- 
Bill Crocker
Executive Director
Tech IOSH, MEPS, MRICS.

Tel: 07795 190 130
In Emergency or Critical Incident tel: 07979 425 989. 

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