Today, Wednesday 6th December, firefighters from across Buckinghamshire called for urgent investment in the fire service at a rally outside a meeting of the fire authority.
A report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that Buckinghamshire Fire Service was “overly reliant” on neighbouring services, was “inadequate” at protecting the public through fire regulation.
BFRS receives some of the lowest funding in the country, with expenditure at £35.51 per person for the fire service compared to the average of £41.88 in England.
Firefighters gathered at West Ashland fire station, calling for the fire authority to invest in the service to keep the public and firefighters safe.
Chris Wycherley, Buckinghamshire FBU Brigade Secretary said:
“Firefighters are standing up for the safety of our firefighters and our communities. Our fire service has been cut to the bone: we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters across the UK since 2010. Buckinghamshire has been hit particularly hard, with some of the lowest levels of funding in the country.
“Firefighters are dedicated to keeping the public safe – but we must be equipped to do so. Right now, our service is overly reliant on neighbouring counties for support because we simply do not have enough resources in place. The fire authority must hear our call and do everything in their power to facilitate improvements, with desperately needed investment.”
