East Sussex firefighters are sending a Valentine’s Day message to local politicians ahead of a crucial vote on cuts to local fire services.
Members of East Sussex Fire Authority — local councillors — are due to meet on Friday 14 February to decide whether the public should be consulted over plans to close fire stations across the county, as well as the loss of as many as 80 firefighters and essential rescue equipment.
Ahead of the vote, councillors will receive a message from firefighters asking them to protect the safety of the general public and the firefighters who serve to achieve this.
Mark Brown, Fire Brigades Union secretary in East Sussex, said: “This Valentine’s Day, we hope the politicians can remember to show love to the fire service and the communities that we serve.
“This is a very serious message. These proposals would create a second rate fire and rescue service and jeopardise public and firefighter safety.
“This situation has been brought about by a failure to secure funding coupled with government’s reckless cuts agenda.”
The message will read:
Dear Cllr
Do you love the protection your firefighters give your voters?
If so, the FBU would urge you to vote against item 771 and look at how the funding gap can be bridged without making the public wait longer for the vital services they require in their moment of need.
Let’s work together to ensure the following:
- To secure the future of fire stations across the county of East Sussex and in the city of Brighton & Hove.
- To ensure that any changes do not lead to increased attendance times.
- Resist the downgrading of equipment and removal of aerial ladder platforms.
- Maintain safe systems of work for all staff
- Guarantee no compulsory redundancies.
