Fire crews concern at cuts and soaring injuries
Fire crews concern at cuts and soaring injuries
Merseyside fire crews have expressed concern at official figures showing a 'scandalous' 118 per cent rise in the number of local firefighters injured at emergency incidents in the last three years. Their union FBU says the findings have heightened concerns for firefighter safety in the face of demands by senior management for a further cut of 120 firefighters. A parliamentary answer revealed injuries at operational incidents in Merseyside from 2001/02 to 2004/05 rose from 60 to 133. Les Skarratts, Merseyside FBU secretary, said: 'Merseyside fire crews have seen the biggest increase - 118 per cent - in injuries at operational incidents over the last three years. It is the worst increase in the entire fire service over that period, and it is scandalous.' He added: 'Our concerns about the impact of further cuts on our safety are genuinely and honestly held and these independent official figures demonstrate why. This is not about theory or unfounded anxiety, it is because a 118 per cent rise in injuries in Merseyside in three years is truly appalling.' Local fire crews are holding a strike ballot over plans to cut the 120 emergency response firefighter posts - one in 10 of the workforce - 15 emergency fire control operator posts and axe four fire engines at night time. 'It is not cost cutting senior managers or councillors who will face that appalling dilemma it is the fire crews at the scene,' Mr Skarratts said. 'We have very good reason to have concerns over safety as these dreadful official independent figures demonstrate.'
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