This week marks one of the most critical points in Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’ history as the counties fire authority try to make £7.5m pounds worth of cuts that firefighters fear will put the public at greater risk and drastically compromise the safety of firefighters .
Eight Leicestershire MP’s have signed an urgent letter to Leicestershire Combined Fire Authority urging them to reject the dangerous proposals presented by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, and seek alternative ways to bridge the funding deficit that do not compromise frontline services and the safety of the public of Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire firefighters met with MP’s in Parliament last week to explain why the proposals to remove three fire engines and reducing the number of firefighters on an engine to just four will result in the loss 104 operational firefighters.
Graham Vaux, secretary of the FBU in Leicestershire, said: “These proposals are extremely dangerous to the public and firefighters, and cannot be achieved safely.
“Leicestershire MP’s were so concerned that they immediately took the unprecedented step to write a cross party letter urging the CFA to reject these proposals and to seek alternatives in negotiation with the county’s fire brigades union.
“If these cuts are approved it will mean that Leicestershire will be the first fire service in post war history to sack firefighters on a compulsive basis.
“Nearly a quarter of all Leicestershire firefighters could be lost.”
FBU members will be lobbying the full fire authority when a final decision is made at its meeting its headquarters at 12 Geoff Monk Way Birstall LE4 3BU at 12pm on the 11 February (tomorrow).
Members of the public will be welcomed by firefighters and are urged to attend this rally and help oppose these proposals to cut their fire service.
Since the letter was posted we have received confirmation from further MP’s endorsing this letter. The following list of MP’s have signed:
Jonathan Ashworth
Liz Kendall
Keith Vaz
Andrew Bridgen
Nicky Morgan
Alan Duncan
David Tredinnick
Edward Garnier
