Cuts to fire and rescue service budget are approved (From Gazette Series)

Cuts to Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service budget are approved

9:30am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Liza-Jane Gillespie

PLANS to save £1.5 million through an overhaul of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service have been approved by county leaders.

The fire service’s Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) 2012-2015 was rubber stamped by Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet last Wednesday, February 1 following staff and public consultation.

The plan includes a review of all firemen, the removal of a specialist rescue appliance, better flood support, improved response times and changing the crewing of its aerial appliances.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, cabinet member for communities, said: "I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come along to the meetings and complete the questionnaires.

"It was very clear that the majority of people understood the need to make some operational changes to our already excellent fire service which will make it more responsive, efficient and continue to support people when they are in need of rescue."

Chief Fire Officer, Jon Hall, said: "I am delighted that Gloucestershire residents value and support the Fire Service and the changes we need to make.

"The Service can now carry out its plans over the next three years so that we can continue to provide a first class service by targeting resources and working smarter whilst also keeping our firefighters safe."

However, the three-year plan has been heavily criticised by the Fire Brigades Union, which claims cuts made to the county's fire service, including the loss of 24 firefighters, would put public safety at risk.

Tim McFarlane, a member of the union, said the decision by the authority not to fill current vacancies in Gloucestershire’s fire service amounted to cuts by stealth.

"Both the public and the emergency services were promised that there would be no cuts to the frontline but now we are seeing posts that are vital to the safety of the public cut," he said.

"You do not get more frontline than that. These cuts will have a significant impact and they will leave the people of Gloucestershire less safe than they were before."

The finalised IRMP and year one action plan will be published at the end of March.