Fire chief turns up heat on union ‘scare’

A FIRE service chief has blasted “scaremongering” comments by a trade union representative about changes to local shifts.

Assistant county fire officer Paul Argyle has responded to Dave German, a Fire Brigades Union steward at Chadderton Fire Station, published in the Chronicle on Friday.

Mr German was speaking about changes to crews at the Chadderton station on Broadway, where two manned fire engines 24 hours a day have been reduced to one, with the other unmanned in reserve.

Mr Argyle said: “This is unnecessary scaremongering and residents should be reassured that there is sufficient resources to provide fire cover at all times. Public safety is Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s top priority and local residents should be reassured we plan how and where we are using our resources by analysing many years worth of data.

“There are now fewer fires because of the work we’ve been doing fitting smoke alarms and raising fire safety awareness.

“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has a fleet of 56 fire engines, which are mobilised county-wide and moved around by skilled 999 control room staff minute by minute.

“The bottom line is if you dial 999 in the event of a fire, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will be there.”