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Loss of Hove fire engine 'will risk lives' says union | Loss of Hove fire engine 'will risk lives' says union |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Firefighters in East Sussex have warned lives could be put at risk after it was revealed there will only be one fire engine based in Hove from April 2016. | Firefighters in East Sussex have warned lives could be put at risk after it was revealed there will only be one fire engine based in Hove from April 2016. |
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was halving the number of engines at the station as part of plans to save £7.1m over a five-year period. | East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it was halving the number of engines at the station as part of plans to save £7.1m over a five-year period. |
Simon Herbert, of the Fire Brigades Union, said the change would put both the public and firefighters at risk. | Simon Herbert, of the Fire Brigades Union, said the change would put both the public and firefighters at risk. |
The fire service said the reduction would not affect response times. | The fire service said the reduction would not affect response times. |
But Mr Herbert said: "We'll be turning up with insufficient personnel." | But Mr Herbert said: "We'll be turning up with insufficient personnel." |
He added that fire crews would be left with the "moral dilemma" of either dealing with the fire without the right level of support, or waiting outside and doing nothing. | He added that fire crews would be left with the "moral dilemma" of either dealing with the fire without the right level of support, or waiting outside and doing nothing. |
'Assess the danger' | |
However, a spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Recue Service said: "At any incident, the first crew on the scene will assess the dangers and risks to both members of the public and firefighters. They don't have to wait for a second crew to enter a premises and effect rescues. | |
"At larger scale incidents, crews will also gather information, secure water supplies, assess access and prepare equipment in preparation for the arrival and deployment of further firefighters." | |
The fire service maintains the cut will not affect response times, adding that fire engines could be used from other areas of the county, and also West Sussex, if necessary. | The fire service maintains the cut will not affect response times, adding that fire engines could be used from other areas of the county, and also West Sussex, if necessary. |
There will be four fire engines based across Hove, Preston Circus and Roedean. | There will be four fire engines based across Hove, Preston Circus and Roedean. |
Calls in the city of Brighton and Hove had reduced in number by about 32% over the last 10 years, and the decision had been taken following an in-depth assessment of the risks to public safety, the service added. | Calls in the city of Brighton and Hove had reduced in number by about 32% over the last 10 years, and the decision had been taken following an in-depth assessment of the risks to public safety, the service added. |
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