Labour Parliamentary candidates take campaign to save the local fire service from cuts to Westminster.
Nancy Platts, standing in Kemptown and Peacehaven, and Sarah Owen, standing in Hastings and Rye, took local FBU representatives to meet Shadow Fire Minister Lyn Brown MP in Westminster.
Proposed cuts will reduce the number of fire engines in Brighton and Hove from five down to four and take away 24 firefighters.
One fire engine will be lost from either Hove or Preston Circus whilst The Ridge in Hastings and Roedean will move to a new shift system requiring firefighters to remain at the station for 96 hours at a time.
Nancy said: “Days like today with flooding and accidents are a reminder of how much our fire service does for us. We believe that if these cuts go through, we will have gone beyond having the ‘bare bones’ of a fire service; these cuts are going to result in loss of life and property.
“Lib Dem, UKIP and Conservative councillors voted to make these cuts at the same time as we are being asked to find space for new homes for a growing population – we will be running on luck and it’s not sustainable.”
The consultation has revealed that the cuts would mean a small increase in the number of fire related deaths but despite an outcry in East Sussex the changes are going ahead.
Sarah added: “Public safety is paramount. We have consistently argued that firefighters who risk their lives to save ours, should be the last place to find savings. We will continue to work with all involved to secure a positive, safe future for our fire service.
“We all agree savings have to be made, but the Tories and UKIP have been perversely complicit in protecting the top heavy, costly management structure at East Sussex even when faced with the decision to cut up to 80 frontline firefighters.”
The Westminster meeting gave the FBU reps a chance to raise their concerns with Lyn Brown MP and to share their ideas for an alternative cost cutting ideas that protect frontline services.
Shadow Fire Minister Lyn Brown MP, said: “It was really nice to meet the group coming up from East Sussex, but worrying to hear their concerns. It is always useful to get the detail about the situation from people who are living and working in the area.
“With local risks always changing and less money to go around, what is available needs to be spent wisely. The Government’s dithering and lack of leadership isn’t making it easy for Fire and Rescue Services to protect the frontline.
“I know from our discussion that Nancy and Sarah are very concerned about public safety and they are doing an excellent job of representing local people by bringing these issues into Parliament.”
Representatives from the FBU say there are alternative cost cutting options that should be investigated and are campaigning for a rethink.
Simon Herbert, Chair of East Sussex FBU, said: “We would like to thank Shadow Minister Lyn Brown MP for taking the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns and the solutions we offered. We look forward to building a thoughtful dialogue and constructive relationship with her.
“We want to keep the public safe, that’s our job and these cuts threaten our ability to protect life and property. We would like to extend a warm invitation to Lyn Brown to visit us in East Sussex to meet local firefighters and hear from them directly.”
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