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Firefighters warn of cutback dangers
Cost-cutting measures by fire services in Cleveland and North Yorkshire could put lives at risk, firefighters have warned. Cleveland fire crews have started a ballot for industrial action over savage cuts planned for the local fire service. Fire stations will be downgraded, 66 frontline firefighter posts will be lost and specialist rescue equipment and fire engines will be axed. Firefighters' union FBU has accused the fire authority of having a cavalier attitude to safety with fewer firefighters taking longer to get to incidents. Telfer Whitfield, chair of Cleveland FBU said: 'These cuts mean fire crews could be left at 999 incidents with the choice of standing back and doing nothing until the necessary resources arrive and risking the public, or ignoring basic safety procedures and risking ourselves. That will clearly compromise our safety and public safety and councillors and senior managers need to take those concerns seriously.' Plans by North Yorkshire fire chiefs to cutback on fire crew attendance next year have been criticised for 'playing Russian roulette' with the lives of people in the district. FBU said if the plans go-ahead homeowners and businesses will find firefighters no longer automatically attend if their automatic fire alarm is activated. Harrogate firefighter and FBU chair Ian Watkins said: 'What is the point of having an expensive fire alarm fitted when the fire service is not going to attend if it goes off?' He added: 'These plans really are playing Russian roulette with people's lives.' Under the plan, non-attendance will be adopted at premises considered low risk unless a back up call from a member of the public confirms there is a fire, mirroring the approach of the police to burglar alarms.
Briefing document (300 words) issued 30 Jun 2006
