Many people attended organised displays across the district, and those that chose to celebrate with fireworks or bonfires at home in the main had safe and fun displays.
Historically one of the busiest periods of the year for the service, 2023 was no exception, with 1008 calls coming into our control room*, the majority of these on Bonfire Night itself. We attended 77 incidents that were related to bonfire related celebrations.
Area Manager for Service Delivery Scott Donegan said: “We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone across West Yorkshire who celebrated this period safely – and it was great to hear and see so many people enjoying this time of year.
“I’d also like to praise our fantastic firefighters who have worked tirelessly, both across this weekend and in the lead up to it – by not only physically firefighting but also in their community work and education they deliver diligently all year. Gratitude must also go to our fantastic Control
Room staff, who fielded a large amount of calls, and offered crucial safety advice to the public.”
Sadly, there were pockets of anti-social behaviour across West Yorkshire, with eight crews coming under attack over the course of the weekend.
AM Donegan continues: “We sadly did see some people who chose to spend this time of year causing disorder. Thankfully none of our crews were injured in these attacks – but we stand by our message that even one attack on crews is one too many – and we will work with our colleagues at West Yorkshire Police to bring anyone who attacks our staff to justice.”
*This period covers 17:00 on 3/11/23 to 01:00 on 6/11/23