It’s well known that Britons are animal lovers who wouldn’t wince at the election as city mayor of a Jack Russell dressed up in a Union Jack waistcoat.
It’s also true that our emergency services are revered for their professionalism and impartiality: all trapped souls shall be treated equally, could be their motto.
But are 22 firefighters really needed to rescue a cat stuck up a tree?
The drama, or pantomine as it was termed in some quarters, began at around 8am on Monday when Teresa Saunders heard the shrieking of a tortoise-shell tabby from the roof of a house in Leiston, Suffolk. She, and other members of the public, promptly phoned 999.
With an early burst of what some would term common sense, the operators said that the fire brigade would not be deployed unless the RSPCA confirmed it was concerned about the cat’s safety.
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But when the charity confirmed at 9.49am — after the cat had resisted the coaxing of houseowner Dawn Cosgrove and her cat food — that it was troubled, there was a veritable charge of the fire brigade.
Two specialist “working at height” teams were hastily deployed from Felixstowe, 30 miles away, and Bungay, 20 miles away while a turntable ladder crew and support applicance were both sent from Bury St Edmunds, nearly 60 miles away. Oh, and the local crew from Leiston fire station, half-a-mile away.
So by 9.55am five appliances complete with the best fire-fighting ordnance Suffolk possesses, and 22 highly-trained operatives were mobilised and en route to the Victorian semi-detached house in Roberts Road.
The local crew from Leiston arrived at 9.59am.
Despite the impending arrival of the high-height specialists, turntable ladders, support pumps and other paraphenalia, the Leiston crew opted to use their initiative, and basic ladder.
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But the tabby, in the haughty manner so beloved of felines, then cocked a snook at its would-be rescuers and, according to Ms Cosgrove, “jumped down of its own accord”. Another witness, Ms Saunders, said: “It was perfectly fine as far as I could tell. It ran off as soon as it got down.”
Fortunately, the residents of Roberts Road were spared the the onslaught of a further four emergency vehicles which were stood down as they raced to the scene.
The Fire Brigades Union defended the operation, saying health and safety rules dictated that for rescues at such a height specialist crews should be sent where available.
Andy Vingoe, the Suffolk branch chairman of the union, added that cats stuck on roofs could also lead to human distress.
“If a cat is stuck on a roof, there is a chance the owner could get distressed and try to rescue it themselves,” said Andy Vingoe, the Suffolk branch chairman of the union. “We would end up having to rescue them as well.”
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Mr Vingoe did say however that it was “crazy” and an “overkill” for five teams to have been sent out to the incident before adding: “It strengthens our case that we need more people to make sure we have enough cover to cope with the demands of the service.”
The Taxpayers Alliance called the fire brigade’s response “ridiculous”. A spokesman added: “It’s almost laughable but wasting resources is bad news for taxpayers and others who might have needed to be rescued, so it’s not funny.
“Of course we want firemen to be safe, but health and safety and red tape has resulted in an excessive and costly response.”
Last night the whereabouts and welfare of the cat was unknown.