Firefighters have voiced their anger at plans to close Allerton fire station in what is being described by the FBU as a “callous cost-cutting exercise” by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
The proposal, which is subject to a 12 week public consultation, will add to the number of threatened fire station closures in region which include Huyton, Whiston, Upton, West Kirby as well as Eccelston and St Helen’s fire stations.
Mark Rowe, brigade secretary for the FBU in Merseyside, said: “This is yet another attack on the ability of firefighters to respond to emergencies effectively.
“Merseyside fire bosses have already cut 14 fire engines in 2013.
“Closing stations means fire engines will have to travel greater distances, making 999 emergency response times longer, which will increase the risk to the public and firefighters alike.
“All the people of Merseyside deserve to have a local fire station, not just a select few.
“It would appear that there is a postcode lottery in use to select which fire stations are closed and which stay open.
“The FBU are greatly concerned that the public of Merseyside pay the ultimate price for Coalition cuts.
“This is a callous cost-cutting exercise that the local FBU will fight.”
