Firefighters in Leicestershire are urging the public to defend their local fire service from savage cuts after plans by the local fire authority to cut the service by £7.5M.
Leicestershire and Rutland Fire Authority’s consultation, open until 31 December, will allow members of the public to have their say on plans to cut in excess of 100 frontline firefighter jobs and reduce the number of fire engines in the County. In addition to this firefighter and public safety will also be compromised with plans to reduce crewing levels from five to four on a front line appliance.
Graham Vaux, brigade secretary of the FBU in Leicestershire, said: “There is no way these cuts can be achieved safely. This is a choice between continuing a world class professional fire service or cutting frontline firefighters, fire engines and reducing our ability to keep the public safe.”
“It’s important that in the last few weeks of the consultation that the public have their say on what they want for the future of the fire and rescue service locally.”
“These proposals will increase response times to 999 emergency calls and first attending crews could have to wait for support before carrying out rescues, this is unacceptable.”
You can complete the consultation survey at www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/IRMP or email [email protected]
