Firefighters staged a rally (above) outside a meeting of the Merseyside fire authority to oppose a dangerous reduction to crew sizes, resulting in a vote on the policy being delayed.
The fire authority’s community risk management plan (CRMP) includes proposals to send firefighters to “non-life” risk incidents with a crew of three on a fire engine.
A minimum number of five firefighters is needed to respond to incidents safely and professionally. A fire engine with three firefighters on board cannot deploy breathing apparatus and must wait for back-up to arrive.
Merseyside firefighters mobilised with short notice, with around 50 protestors chanting and holding placards and banners.
FBU officials spoke out against the plans, and condemned additional proposals to remove watch managers from fire engines and reintroduce downgraded “small fires units”.
Following the deferral, Merseyside FBU brigade secretary Ian Hibbert said: “If the fire authority brings this to a vote again, we will mobilise in even greater numbers to ensure this policy does not pass.”
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “The Labour Party has committed to national professional standards across the UK, and the Fire Brigades Union will fight to ensure that no fire service faces this threat again.”
