Submitted by SWFBU on
Vital frontline fire and rescue services are to be axed across Gloucestershire despite warnings it will take firefighters much longer to get to emergencies.
Cabinet members of Gloucestershire county council met today (3 February) and voted unaminously to close Painswick fire station and to cut all full time firefighters at Cirencester fire station. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that it is likely that attendance times to emergencies will increase as a result.
Scott Turner, secretary of the FBU in Gloucestershire, said: “In an emergency every minute counts. It can be the difference between a successful rescue or a person losing their life. Today’s decision means firefighters will arrive a lot later to emergency incidents, seriously hampering their ability to perform rescue operations.
“The public are dead set against the cuts to their fire and rescue service. Thousands have signed petitions asking the county council to drop the plans.
“This is a dark day for firefighters in Gloucestershire.”
Barry Kirby, the shadow Labour spokesperson for fire planning and infrastructure in Gloucestershire, said: “I am very disappointed with the decision the cabinet have made today. It is an insult to our community and the brave firefighters who serve it.
“We want to see fire engines making it to the scene of emergencies as soon as possible, ideally within eight minutes, so they can save lives and keep us protected. The cuts will mean response times will increase. The council’s handling of the situation has been pitiful.”
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Contact the press office on 02084 811 505 (will divert) or press@fbu.org.uk.
