Fire service cutbacks a cause for concern

Anne Main met with St Albans fire-fighters today, to discuss their concerns about cutbacks and lack of training.

Anne Main, MP for St Albans, met with St Albans fire-fighters today, to discuss their concerns about cutbacks and lack of training.

Anne said:

"I was staggered to hear of the cutbacks that our fire services are facing. It is clear that fire-fighters are being put in unnecessary danger as a result.

I was particularly concerned to hear of training cuts, which have meant that only new recruits are undertaking "hot" fire training, and some have not had this type of training since 2001, when the Stevenage training centre closed.

Worryingly, I also heard that fire-fighters are still being required to work with communication systems with batteries that do not function at high temperatures. Alongside this, whilst there is no statutory obligation for our hardworking fire-fighters to attend flooding incidents, they are frequently required to do so.

The stories I heard today were deeply worrying and I have tabled for a debate on provision for the fire services to try to bring the Government to account on this. I have also signed Early Day Motion 2440 in support of those I met."

Background:

Text of Early Day Motion 2440:

FIREFIGHTER SAFETY

That this House notes the recent increased number of firefighter deaths highlighted in the Fire Brigades Union report In the Line of Duty; further notes the lack of safety-critical operational guidance for fire authorities highlighted in that report, and the absence of a properly resourced national body with overall responsibility for recording and investigating firefighter deaths and other serious incidents; and therefore calls for work to be commenced with stakeholders to see through the creation of such a body with responsibility for developing and agreeing safety-critical operational guidance arising from those investigations. "