West Midlands fire stations could face reduced front line cover under new proposals
The Fire Brigades Union's calling on West Midlands Fire Service to halt all proposed reductions to front line fire and rescue cover
The Fire Brigades Union has called on West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) and the West Midlands Fire Authority to halt all proposed reductions to front line fire and rescue cover, warning the plans would leave communities across the region less safe.
According to the union, overall 14 fire stations at risk across Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Proposals under discussion are said to include the closure and relocation of Ward End Fire Station, the removal of night-time cover from stations at Bloxwich, Willenhall and Kings Norton, and a reduction in overnight availability from second fire engines at up to 11 further stations.
The union said the changes would reduce the number of firefighters and fire appliances available, particularly at night, when major incidents can occur.
It has warned that the service has not provided the operational modelling needed to properly assess claims about the impact on fire attendance times.
Steve Wright, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "West Midlands Fire Service is proposing to strip night-time cover from stations across the region, close Ward End and leave communities waiting longer for help in an emergency.
“We have just seen a summer of wildfires and major incidents across the West Midlands including the loss of 19 homes in Stourbridge.
“When people dial 999, they expect a fire engine to arrive quickly, not to be told their local station has been downgraded or closed.
“These proposals would put our members under greater pressure, leave fire crews covering larger areas with fewer resources, and put the public at risk.
“This is not acceptable and the FBU will oppose the plans.”
Andrew Scattergood from the West Midlands FBU said the front line cover cuts are being proposed in favour of accommodating upgrades to the fire service's provisions elsewhere.
"We are seeing an issue around fire stations that are outdated," he said.
"We have seen cuts previously and we are now at that peak where things needs to change and investment is needed, but the reduction of fire cover is not the answer."
He added: "We seeing more and more increases in flooding, in wildfires, and we've not seen a proper investment in fire services in a number of decades.
"What we need is boost on the ground and any suggestion of reducing that is wholly inappropriate."
A petition started by the FBU's already garnered over 3,000 signatures calling for WMFS to halt the plans.
WMFS said no decisions have been made yet and, that this stage, "the proposals are just proposals".
"Nothing has been decided, nothing has been confirmed. Any suggestion to the contrary is unhelpful speculation which damages our ability to carry out a fair and open consultation, in line with the Gunning Principles for consultation, with staff, the Fire Authority and the public prior to sign off of the proposals by West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority and, in due course, public consultation," A WMFS spokesperson said.
"This is a process to be carried out correctly, not quickly, and as such we are taking a phased approach starting with our staff.
"To comment on specifics ahead of confirmation of proposals by West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority for public consultation would be premature.
"What we have at the moment are initial, data-led ideas that we are presenting to our staff for consideration. Their voices, expertise and opinions matter greatly to us, and so our proposals may change based on their input.
"The views of the entire West Midlands – our communities, staff and partners – will be crucial in shaping the service’s future and helping us make the West Midlands safer, stronger and healthier."