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Fire call-out cut plan criticised | Fire call-out cut plan criticised |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Plans by fire service bosses in the West Midlands to send out engines only to the most serious incidents have been criticised by staff. | Plans by fire service bosses in the West Midlands to send out engines only to the most serious incidents have been criticised by staff. |
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) raised concerns the proposals may risk lives. | The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) raised concerns the proposals may risk lives. |
However, the service says the plans are needed to cut time that is wasted tackling rubbish and grass fires, which rarely threaten lives. | However, the service says the plans are needed to cut time that is wasted tackling rubbish and grass fires, which rarely threaten lives. |
The FBU is also concerned about plans to issue crews with equipment to treat patients with heart problems. | The FBU is also concerned about plans to issue crews with equipment to treat patients with heart problems. |
Water saving | |
The union said a plan to give each crew a defibrillator was like "having an ambulance service on the cheap". | The union said a plan to give each crew a defibrillator was like "having an ambulance service on the cheap". |
In October, a High Court judge ruled that medical treatment was not a part of firefighters' normal duties. | In October, a High Court judge ruled that medical treatment was not a part of firefighters' normal duties. |
Doug Tweddle, the assistant chief fire officer, said the idea of sending a van with a crew of three to small fires is only being considered at the moment. | |
He told BBC News: "They're working in Liverpool, and it would be remiss of us not to have a look to see if it's effective. | |
"We've had 75,000 secondary fires in the last five years. Most of these can be dealt with by a smaller unit. | |
"These smaller units have a more effective fire fighting capability with small fires because they use a foam suppression system that requires 80 per cent less water." |
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