Proposals to cut frontline fire and rescue services in Suffolk have been met with strong opposition after the results of a public consultation found three-quarters of those who responded disagreed with the plans.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said the views of the public should be respected and the plans should be sent back to the drawing board.
Under the proposals put forward by Suffolk County Council, Ipswich would lose half of its frontline firefighting resources. Wrentham fire station would be closed down and fire engines and firefighters would be removed from both Lowestoft South and Bury St Edmunds fire stations. The plans would also see the second fire engine at Sudbury fire station replaced by a ‘rapid response’ type vehicle carrying fewer firefighters and equipment.
Roy Humphreys, secretary of the FBU in Suffolk, said: “These proposals are dangerous and not fit for purpose. The public has quite clearly demonstrated this from the responses they have submitted from all over the county. Councillors promised at the last full council meeting that they would listen to the public. It is now time for members of the fire authority to understand and address those concerns. The fire authority needs to go back to the drawing board and rethink their plans.
“If the plans end up going through it will be an affront to local democracy. Firefighters routinely give their best - recent incidents throughout the county show this. It’s not unreasonable that taxpayers and firefighters are shown the same consideration and get the best from their local politicians. We are there to serve the public. They are the ones paying for the service and they deserve to be heard.”
