Submitted by SWFBU on
TO: ALL MEMBERS
Dear Brother/Sister,
DRAFT BUDGET PROPOSALS - PLANNED CUTS TO FRONTLINE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
Cornwall County Council has recently published a disgraceful series of proposals to slash vital frontline services in order to achieve what they misleadingly describe as “savings”. These plans include proposed cuts to the frontline of Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service which will clearly compromise emergency cover and put the safety of Firefighters and the public at risk.
The cuts also include proposals to drive down firefighter numbers through “vacancy management”, introduce detrimental crewing systems, cut community safety work and make direct cuts to training arrangements and support structures throughout the service. It is the view of the FBU that these cuts, which are a direct result of political decisions taken by Cornwall County Council, are irresponsible and dangerous. On that basis we demand that they are withdrawn.
I know of the anger felt by Cornish Firefighters regarding this continuing attack on our Service and our safety. We have already suffered a series of cuts over recent years that have adversely affected our Service and there is a huge reliance on the goodwill of firefighters to work in our own time in order to keep fire engines on the run and support community safety events. But enough is enough: We will not pay for their cuts with our jobs, our service and the safety of firefighters and the public. Politicians are responsible for introducing these cuts and they can also reverse them.
The FBU is already at work making our point clear to the local politicians of Cornwall. We will be submitting a written submission to the Council on behalf of Firefighters and will engage with Politicians at every level demanding that these cuts be withdrawn. However, we must also be prepared to defend ourselves and our service using every means possible, including if necessary industrial action. I urge all members to attend local Branch meetings, discuss this issue and get fully involved with lobbying and other activities. Politicians need to be clear: if they try to cut our Service they will have a fight on their hands.
Yours fraternally,
STUART PULLEY
BRIGADE SECRETARY
CORNWALL FBU
