Firefighters from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in Lincolnshire were celebrating this week as their campaign to save frontline services paid off.
After a lengthy consultation, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed it intends to keep Lincoln South fire station operating as a full time outpost and it will now not outsource its fire control room functions. Two rescue support units, specialist vehicles that respond to major emergencies such as traffic collisions and chemical spillages, will also stay.
Ben Selby, secretary of the FBU in Lincolnshire, said: “This was a great campaign run by local activists fighting to keep the public safe. The people of Lincoln are better served by having a station open 24 hours a day which can ensure fire crews can respond immediately to emergencies in the city. All across Lincolnshire, tax-payers will get the service they pay for.
“I am extremely proud of the campaign that Lincoln South FBU have led which highlighted very effectively the increased risk to the public if these services were cut back. Local councillors and MPs received a lot of support from the FBU and it really helped to increase the pressure on the fire service. This in turn allowed us to work with the senior management team to devise alternative proposals to better serve our community.
“I am thankful that the acting chief fire officer Nick Borrill allowed fire service managers and the FBU to work together on the new proposals. In the past, there has not always been a willingness for both sides to work together. As this result demonstrates, close working relationships with trade unions and organisations can benefit everyone and in this instance keep the public safe.”
