Emergency call from woman trapped in her Glasgow flat after fire in stairwell released

The emergency call of a woman who was trapped in her apartment after a fire was published to illustrate how emergency calls are handled.

The emergency call was made by a woman who was trapped in a block of flats in Glasgow earlier this year when smoke came through her door.

The audibly frightened caller was rescued by firefighters while Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) emergency call operator Beth McInnes stayed on the phone and spoke to the woman.

She asked the woman to remain calm and stay near the apartment window after the fire spread to the building's stairwell.

Another person was rescued during the fire. The caller, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I was afraid for my life that night.

“I am incredibly grateful for the help of Beth and all the firefighters who helped me.”

Beth, fire chief, said: “It was a team effort. I was the one on the phone, but the rest of the team in the control room supported me.”

“I’m glad the caller was brought to safety.”

SFRS is currently recruiting staff to provide operational control at its three sites in Johnstone, Dundee and Edinburgh.

The Fire Control Centre provides frontline support to emergencies across Scotland and coordinates resources for the service.

Beth said of her role: “I find my job challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time.

“It is truly fulfilling to know that I can potentially be a source of calm and comfort to someone in their time of need and have the opportunity to make a positive impact every day.”

Area Manager Jacqui MacDonald said: “Our fire control centre plays an important role in responding to a range of emergencies, from fires to water rescues.

“I encourage anyone with strong teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills under pressure to apply.

“Our dedicated instructors provide comprehensive support and guidance throughout the training to ensure that each individual becomes an experienced firefighter capable of dealing with emergencies of all types.”

For more information about the available roles, click here.

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