Fire-fighters give warning over cuts

ANXIOUS fire-fighters from Oldham say lives could be in danger if proposed service cuts go ahead.

Fire-fighter Dave German has hit out what he sees as a potentially dangerous shake-up in the borough that aims to reduce staff and the number of engines available.

Based at Chadderton station for more than 13 years, he is the borough’s representative for the Fire Brigade Union and is the voice of around 140 staff across three stations in the borough.

Risk

Under the proposals, currently under consultation, crew numbers at Chadderton would be cut from nine on 24-hour duty to eight during the day and only five at night.

This, Mr German argues, will mean one fewer fire engine available during night hours when sleeping families are at their greatest risk.

He said: “People may look at this and think it’s not that much, but when things get tough one person can be the difference between someone being injured and a person being rescued. It could affect our health and safety at times, too. I just wonder whether people are aware of the changes that are being proposed.

“It will matter to people when if the time ever comes when they need the service. We’re all really proud to work for the service, but people need to know about these changes.”

The cuts come out of a need for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) to save £23 million over the next three years.

Oldham Fire Station would see crew numbers cut from 11 to 10, while Hollins would lose its special-incident unit appliance, while target response times would be lengthened to seven minutes.

The union argues that there will be a 20 per cent reduction in night-time cover for the borough and that 60 per cent of wards will have to wait longer for crews to arrive.

The plans are currently under consultation, which ends on Monday, January 23.

Mr German added: “Most of the time two engines staffed by nine crew members attend a house fire whether it is a two-bed semi or a five-bedroom palace.

“You need each one of those fire-fighters. The changes probably won’t make too much of a difference in the centre of Oldham, but it will in the outlying areas of the borough.

“Residents up in Saddleworth, for example in Denshaw, are paying their taxes, too, and I think they’re going to get a raw deal.

Changes

“If reduced engines are already called out in the centre of the borough it will mean fewer on call for other areas.”

Concerns were also raised when the plans were announced last year about changes to services outside of the borough.

Proposals for Mossley fire station, which can be called out to Saddleworth, could see response times lengthened from seven to 17 minutes.

For more details, visit the website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk