Cuts to the fire service in Scotland could cost lives, says union
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says wide-ranging changes to the fire service in Scotland could cost lives.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is proposing the closure of up to 13 stations, new arrangements for night and weekend cover at others and the permanent withdrawal of 10 appliances nationwide.
Five stations in Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Musselburgh could be shut down or merged.
The 23 options, which were published on Wednesday, involve more than 30 fire stations in 14 local authority areas - and the service has warned that more change is likely in years to come.
Senior officers have insisted that public safety will not be compromised - but the FBU has spoken out against the proposals saying the service is "already on its knees" after a decade of "real-terms cuts".
FBU Scottish secretary, John McKenzie said: 'Our members and the Scottish public have suffered more than enough cuts to the fire service.
'For over a decade, real-terms budget cuts have increased risks to public safety, with firefighter numbers slashed and response times increasing as a result. The service is already on its knees because of these cuts. That has led to increases in response times and when this time is lost, tragically lives will also be lost.
'This is unacceptable and any proposals to further compromise our service and public safety must be rejected. What we need instead is more, not less, investment that takes into account new and emerging threats that our services and our members are having to deal with on a day-to-day basis. We need funding that enhances and improves public safety rather than worsening it.'
In all, the SFRS has set out 23 different options for change across the fire service in Scotland, which it says is needed to match staff, stations and resources to 'operational risk and demand' across the country.
The proposals also include plans to repair or rebuild stations in some areas, and transfer some staff and vehicles to 'more effective' locations.
The consultation will remain open for 12 weeks, with the SFRS saying it wants 'as many people as possible' to submit their views on the proposed changes.
Chief officer Stuart Stevens said: 'We have an opportunity for the first time since our national service was formed in 2013 to review how we provide our emergency service every minute of the day, every day of the year. Building a modern fire and rescue service that is fit for purpose is the reason we are bringing these proposed changes forward.
'We recognise that these 23 options represent a significant level of change. However, we have a duty to ensure that the right resources are in the right locations to meet new risks that exist within today's communities.
'We also need to spend public money wisely. We have a backlog of repairs in our buildings, fleet and equipment that would cost more than £800 million to address and this just isn't an option available to our service.
'Therefore, along with the need for sustained investment, we need to consider how we operate and reduce running costs for assets that are not serving our staff or communities. We must also be able to adapt to meet current and future risks, such as those posed by extreme weather events or wildfires.'
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The service said eight of the fire stations slated for closure have been 'long-dormant' due to recruitment difficulties for on-call firefighters in rural locations.
Meanwhile, the five city fire stations had been identified as potential closures or mergers because of low demand, or because they are close to other facilities that SFRS said could provide effective cover.
The proposals also include the implementation of a daily shift pattern for firefighters in some areas, which would see full-time staff work from 8am-6pm, supported by on-call firefighters outwith these times.
They would be assisted by the creation of a 'nucleus crew' in two locations – Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire – which could be deployed 'tactically' across an area as required.
Permanent solutions are also being proposed following the temporary withdrawal of 10 appliances in 2023, including in Perth & Kinross, Fife, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and Glasgow.
Mr Stevens added: 'These options have been developed over many months involving staff, trade union representatives and other stakeholders. There will be a 12-week period to give people time to submit their views on the changes. We would encourage as many people as possible to participate in public consultation process.'
Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: 'The emergencies the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responds to have changed, with fewer house fires and more wildfire and flooding incidents.
'It is right, then, that the service considers how to adapt to the changing risks to remain effective and efficient, with firefighters in the right place at the right time to ensure people and communities are protected.'
She urged people to take part in the consultation 'so their voices are heard', but stressed: 'As ever, keeping communities safe will remain the SFRS's top priority, supported by substantial year-on-year budget increases from the Scottish Government.'
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