Fire crews take cuts fight to Westminster

SOUTH Yorkshire firefighters lobbed their MPs at Westminster today in protest against cuts to their fire and rescue service.

Hundreds of Fire Brigades Union members from all four brigades in Yorkshire and Humberside joined thousands of colleagues to demonstrate against proposed cuts which they say threaten to decimate frontline 999 services.

The FBU said the proposed cuts, seen by many  union members as knee jerk reactions by panicking management teams, will see the reduction of standards in fire and rescue services and delays in fire appliances attending emergency calls.

Union leaders claim this will put the lives of the public and the safety of firefighters at increased risk.

A national YouGov poll released in September shows the public oppose cuts to their fire and rescue service:

• 85 per cent of those polled oppose government plans to cut funding in the Fire and Rescue Service;
• 95 per cent of those asked thought that despite the economic crisis, we need to keep at least the same number, or employ even more firefighters;
• 95 per cent agreed that a rapid response to fires should be a high priority.

Pete Smith FBU Regional Secretary said: “Plans are being drawn up to significantly change the front line fire and rescue service in all of the brigades in Yorkshire and Humberside.

“The government stated both pre-election and post election they would protect the front line of public services.

“However, it now seems those at the top have done a total u-turn and are now planning to make cuts to the frontline rather than from their own corporate empires.

“On top of this firefighters are in the position of their employers offering no pay rise this year, the government’s two year public pay freeze coming in next year and three per cent contribution hikes in their pensions announced last month by the Chancellor.

“Firefighters are certainly paying a heavy price for the failure of speculating bankers.

“We know that social deprivation caused by recession goes hand in hand with increased risks of fire and we will not stand back whilst the poorest and most vulnerable in our society are compromised by these cuts. Cuts cost lives.

“Our members call on our local MPs and our fire chiefs to stand up for the fire service, to stand up for the public we serve and to stand up for the brave men and women who deliver our service on the frontline.”