Councillors have pushed back on plans for cuts in Avon Fire and Rescue Service following a successful campaign by firefighters.
Avon fire authority voted to delay cutting crews on fire engines from five to four firefighters at a meeting in March.
The decision came after fire service managers were sent back to the drawing board following the committee’s decision to reject the original plan to slash 40 firefighter posts, following warnings from the FBU that the proposals were a threat to public safety.
The plans are deferred for a year to allow the service time to explore other ways of balancing the budget and lobby the government for more funding.
“Councillors have made the right call by refusing to undermine public safety at the expense of balancing the books,” said Dave Roberts, FBU South West regional secretary.
“Cutting crewing levels and removing firefighters from the frontline would be a race to the bottom that would put lives on the line.
“The fire authority and fire service now need to focus efforts on sourcing additional funding from the government to ensure the safety of the public that we serve.”
