
![]() |
Brian Sims
Editor |
Home> | Fire | >Enforcement | >Fire services resources "stretched to breaking point" |
Home> | Fire | >Fire and Rescue | >Fire services resources "stretched to breaking point" |
Fire services resources "stretched to breaking point"
04 June 2018
FROM 1 JUNE fire appliances in Tyne and Wear will be crewed by just four firefighters in a move the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called ‘dangerous’.
The warning from the union comes after a major fire in Sunderland saw resources stretched to breaking point. The blaze at a recycling plant last month saw 13 appliances and 48 firefighters in attendance during which time left the rest of Tyne and Wear with as few as eight fire appliances and 40 firefighters ready to respond to other incidents.
Firefighters have warned that there will be far fewer resources from today. The staffing model sees two fire appliances removed from duty between midnight and 9am.
Russ King, secretary of the FBU in Tyne and Wear, said: “Never ending budget cuts are leaving the fire service with threadbare resources. Let’s be clear; every time we have a major incident from now on fire service resources will pushed to the limit. Lives are being put at risk.
“If there are fewer fire appliances with fewer firefighters, the lifesaving work they perform will be compromised. We are urging the fire authority to reverse the decision to remove the engines from the night time fire cover.
“Having a crew of four also puts firefighters at increased risk of serious injury. At least five firefighters are needed for example at a house fire so that they can follow proper firefighting procedures designed for their own safety.”
Tyne and Wear Fire Authority voted in December last year to cut fire crews to four despite severe criticism and warnings from the union.
- BS 5839-9:2021 published by British Standards Institution
- Robert McBride Ltd heavily fined in wake of worker suffering serious burns
- IQ Verify audits HX Car Park Management Ltd for certification against Surveillance Camera Code of Practice
- Coventry Church and Pastoral Centre benefits from new fire detection regime
- National construction products regulator established to ensure safety of building materials
- FPA backs Fire Safety Event
- ASFP accredits MPI training course
- Simplifying compliance at Fire Safety Scotland
- FIA and BSIA write joint letter to Government on impact of UKCA mark
- Built environment and fire industries set out blueprint for improving competence and driving culture change
- Laying down the law
- Suspended sentence following guest house blaze
- Student lettings firm fined £150,000 for fire failings
- From the editor
- Fire safety returns home to NEC Birmingham
- Blog for FSM website
- Huge fine for Lakanal House fire
- Restaurant chain served fine for fire breaches
- Laying down the law
- Hotelier in dock for fire safety breaches