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The FBU has slammed proposals for massive cuts in Devon & Somerset fire & rescue service. The cuts would see the loss of around 140 frontline fire-fighter posts, the downgrading of six fire engines, the downgrading of a vital aerial appliance and the downgrading of 3 fire stations; amongst other cuts.
In Devon & Somerset alone this will mean £3.4m in cuts to the fire and rescue service in 2013 and £2.1m in 2014. Further cuts will no doubt continue after that. After-all it was this Government that said the service across the country could actually be run by volunteers, rather than full-time professional fire service personnel! As per usual, the management of course are saying that any cuts will not endanger public safety! This is palpable risk-taking with the lives of the population, not only who live in the area but those travelling through it via the M25 and other roads. Potentially this effects not just people in the whole of the UK, but those abroad to who travel on business or on holiday to the area. Recently the M25 motorway disaster was covered by this same fire and rescue service, who where stretched thinly; even before cuts are introduced. That is why the whole country should be up in arms about any cuts, anywhere, to any of the rescue services. You can express your views on these cuts a number of ways: Source: FBU |
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The Union has condemned the cuts as "too far" saying that they will "compromise public safety" and pointing to the recent floods as an example of the rescue capability that will be compromised.