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Media Enquiries

The telephone numbers and email addresses on this page are only to be used by members of the media.

During normal office hours

Telephone - 01323 462376

Email: communications@esfrs.org 


Out of hours  

Telephone - 07810 831406

Please do not text this number. At busy times, staff may not be able to answer the telephone, if this is the case email  communications@esfrs.org


999 and other calls dealt with by Fire Control

In line with many other emergency services, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service records calls dealt with by the Fire Control, including 999 and administrative calls.

They are recorded so that they can be played back if clarification is needed and are sometimes used as evidence in court cases.  No warning is given that the calls are recorded as this would obviously cause delay in an emergency situation.


Guidance on information for media

Our news pages regularly round up incidents and provide information about safety campaigns. These are usually only updated Mondays to Fridays.

Our press releases are posted on our social media accounts: 

Incidents     

In the majority of cases we are happy to release information about incidents including:      

  • Time we were called out and what sort of incident it is e.g. house fire, road traffic collision
  • Number of appliances sent to the scene     
  • The road name
  • The action we are taking
  • The outcome of a fire investigation    
  • Whether we alerted other agencies e.g. Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance or Environment Agency

There will be times that we will not give out details. We hope that journalists will appreciate that this is usually because the incident or information is sensitive in nature or another agency is taking the lead.    

For example we will not confirm an exact address nor will we confirm exact ages or the relationships of those involved. We also do not routinely supply photographs of incidents. 

When we are called to assist another agency such as Sussex Police or South East Coast Ambulance Service we will ask journalists to contact that agency for information. On occasions our Communications team may liaise with the agency concerned and then confirm details of our involvement if appropriate.

When there is a multi-agency response, we will release information in partnership with the other agencies or the Sussex Resilience Forum.

Interviews and filming 

If you would like to interview a member of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service or Fire Authority, or film or record on our premises, please contact communications@esfrs.org