Audit Commission Report (Trvs)

This Conference is alarmed at the cost cutting measure contained within the Audit Commissionʼs report “Rising to the Challenge”, of replacing conventional pumps with Target Response Vehicles (TRVs). TRVs are designed to deal with small known fires and not to replace pumps. Smaller crewing levels and the limitation of equipment means they are not capable of replacing pumps, without seriously increasing the risk to the safety of firefighters, members of the public and property. To date no adequate evaluation of these vehicles and the increased risks have been carried out and therefore have not been factored into the exaggerated efficiency savings contained within the report. We call on the Fire Brigades Union to continue to highlight our safety concerns regarding these vehicles and to produce our own report that challenges the credibility of this cost cutting Audit Commission report.