Cleveland Fire Brigade calls for urgent reinvestment to stop 'shameful' cuts
Cleveland Fire Brigade Union says they're still operating at a £1.2 million deficit
There are calls for an urgent reinvestment in Cleveland Fire Brigade to stop what they're calling 'shameful' cuts.
Cleveland Fire Brigade Union says they're still operating at a £1.2 million deficit due to insufficient funding from Government.
The public's going to be asked for their views on proposed cuts which could result in things like removing evening frontline cover in Thornaby.
James Sudron is from Cleveland Fire Brigade Union and said: "We have major concerns that any further reduction to our numbers and resilience will put lives at risk. The public, quite frankly, in Cleveland deserve better. They need to feel safer in their homes and know that they have a fully resourced and responsive fire service.
"I think these incidents highlight the pressures that the public services are facing in Cleveland. The message that Cleveland Fire Brigade Union is trying to get across is that while we have some of the highest figures for deliberate fire setting in the UK, we have seen our numbers slashed. Since 2010 we have lost 33% of our frontline cover and we are now unfortunately facing a financial deficit of £1.2 million which will mean a further reduction to our fire and rescue service.
"We do live in a unique area on Teesside. We have a high concentration of comah sites, we have a nuclear power station, we have large transport networks, we have a freeport, we have an airport, we kind of tick all the boxes for instant scenarios with the Fire and Rescue Service and yet we're rock bottom for funding in the UK. One thing that it doesn't take into account is those hazards, it kind of goes on population density.
"We need further reinvestment and we do welcome a review into the funding formula, but we're facing a deficit of £1.2 million. We need this funding now and almost at this stopgap to prevent further loss to our fire and rescue service. We have grave concerns for the safety of the public and our firefighters within Cleveland. And the Cleveland Fire Brigades Union are calling on the Government to make these extra funds available so the public in Cleveland have a fire and rescue service that they deserve."
There is also a petition.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "We know services like Cleveland Fire Brigade work tirelessly to keep their community safe.
"That's why we're making £37.8 million available for Cleveland Fire and Rescue Authority this financial year - an increase of 3.8% compared to last year."