Can we believe anything that the Fire & Rescue Services and Fire Authority Members say?

Warning that lives could be put at risk amid cuts to firefighters on county border

A fire crew demonstrates the use of new equipment (The News)

First we have Louise Goldsmith, Leader of the West Sussex Fire Authority, saying that West Sussex would not comment on the Hampshire proposals, 'because we just don't do that'. Within weeks a West Sussex officer is seconded to Hampshire and is actively supporting their cuts at public meetings. Then West Sussex not only formally comment on the proposals, but supports them.

This was done even though, in their comments, they said that they were concerned about reductions in the attendance from Hampshire, and about INCREASED response times in West Sussex. Now we have Gary Towson, who is not a spokesman for West Sussex firefighters, but a spokesman for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, miraculously claiming that response times will improve!

It seems that instead of reflecting West Sussex concerns, Mr Towson is speaking on behalf of the Hampshire Fire Authority. I would urge him not to repeat the deception being perpetrated by Hampshire. You cannot legitimately compare the current response times for a properly equipped fire engine and four firefighters, with the response time for a poorly equipped, converted van and just two firefighters. Two firefighters who cannot carry out rescues and will struggle to tackle anything more than a dustbin fire.

As for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman's comments, the technology is not new and is only of limited value. It may look good at carefully staged demonstrations, but many real fires require adequate numbers of firefighters, not gimmicks. There are even four firefighters shown in the demonstration photograph, who are actively engaged in firefighting or providing safety cover! 

The concept is untried, untested and unsafe! Response times have already increased and the Hampshire cuts will see further significant increases for an effective response in both Hampshire and West Sussex.

Final Hampshire proposals will seriously affect West Sussex fire cover

I must first apologise for the lack of posts on this blog. Things have been going on in the background, but health issues and other demands have limited my computer time.

I have just seen the final Hampshire proposals and it seems no notice has been taken of concerns and views expressed by West Sussex residents. The proposals go to the Fire Authority meeting on 24 February. As they will affect West Sussex they are:

Emsworth - Downgraded to a First response vehicle. Firefighters cut from 12 to 9.

Grayshott - Downgraded to a First response vehicle. Firefighters cut from 12 to 8.

Havant - Downgraded to an Enhanced Vehicle and a First response vehicle (Wholetime shift strength cut from 7 to 4, and RDS cut from 12 to 10).

Horndean - Downgraded to an Intermediate vehicle. Firefighters cut from 12 to 11.

Liphook - Downgraded to a First response vehicle. Firefighters cut from 12 to 9.

Petersfield - Downgraded to an Enhanced Vehicle and a First response vehicle. Firefighters cut from 20 to 15.

Waterlooville - Downgraded to an Enhanced Vehicle and a First response vehicle. Firefighters cut from 20 to 14.

In summary – 10 Pumps cut to just 3, with 1 Intermediate vehicle and 6 First response vehicles. 

Currently crewed by 40 to 60 firefighters. In future crewed by 26 to 47 firefighters.

Despite the West Sussex County Council Leader Louise Goldsmith saying that they would not comment on the proposals, as "we just don't do that", they did submit a response to the consultation supporting the Hampshire proposals!

Hampshire Fire Cuts Threaten West Sussex Residents

This photo is a stark reminder of why we need a speedy response by full crews on proper fire engines. 

A news release has now been issued:

Fire service cuts campaigners are warning that West Sussex residents, who live near the Hampshire border, will face increased dangers from an inadequate fire service response. West Sussex County Council pay Hampshire Fire Authority to deal with emergencies in that area, because their fire stations are nearer. Hampshire Fire Authority now say they plan to remove SEVEN of the NINE fire engines nearest to the West Sussex border and replace them with inadequate vehicles.

Two of those vehicles will be ‘Intermediate Vehicles’, which are small Fire Engines carrying less water, less equipment and less firefighters. The other five will only be ‘First Response Vehicles’, which carry even less water, less equipment and less firefighters. Instead of four to six firefighters on a proper fire engine, these will respond with as few as two firefighters.

Speaking for campaigners, retired firefighter Tony Morris said, “That may be OK for a dustbin fire, but for building fires these inadequate crews will only be able to watch and wait for help to arrive on proper fire engines. Many residents, in an area that includes Southbourne, West Marden, South Harting, Rogate, Milland and Linchmere, will be left with a second or third class service from Hampshire”.

Mr Morris urged people to respond to the Hampshire consultation, which is due to start on 14 September. He said, “This is a double blow for residents in this area after Bosham fire station was closed and second fire engines were removed from Midhurst and Petworth. Hampshire fire engines often provide support in the Midhurst, Chichester and Manhood areas, so proper resources will take longer to arrive there too. West Sussex County Council must also tell residents how they will properly protect people living in these areas, if Hampshire make these cuts”.

Commenting on Hampshire Fire Authority claims that “the safety of the public and our firefighters remains our absolute priority”, Mr Morris said, “It is rather like listening to ‘Del Boy’ on his market stall describing inferior goods as the ‘bees knees’. The difference of course is that one may see you waste your money on faulty goods, the other may cost you your home, your business, or your life.”

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Stop the Cuts