Lives 'at risk' as fire service faces 'most savage cuts ever'

The coalition government has reduced its grant to the Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service by 10.3 per cent for the year 2013/14 and 7.3 per cent for the year 2014/15.

A spokesman said: "This means a loss of £3.4 million in the next financial year and £2.1 million the following, cuts three times more savage than any ever imposed on the service before, by any previous government, and gives the lie to Minister Eric Pickles’ claim that the fire and rescue service is somehow being protected."

On January 18, the fire authority and fire service senior managers will put forward proposals for public consultation, which the union claims will include a set of cuts that would see fire appliances removed from local communities.

Trevor French, Devon and Somerset FBU secretary said: “Rather than just accept these enormous cuts forced upon us by central government, the fire authority along with chief fire officer Lee Howell should tell the coalition government that this scale of cuts is unacceptable, risks destroying the fabric of this important service, and ultimately puts more lives at risk.

The union says that as a rural service and one of the biggest in the country, Devon and Somerset have long argued that a ‘sparsity’ factor should be included in any grant settlement received. This would take into account the lack of neighbouring services for support and the sheer scale of area that has to be covered by one fire and rescue service.

Bob Walker, FBU brigade chair said: “If the cuts proposed go through, there will be fewer firefighters, fewer fire stations and fewer fire engines. After the recent floods and fires firefighters have dealt with so professionally, the cuts would be a real kick in the teeth for both the public and the service. The FBU is asking people in our communities to stand up against damaging proposals for the fire and rescue service before it is too late.”