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Plans to scrap fire tenders in shake-up
FIRE engines that have been specially modified to deal with car crashes, floods or terrorist incidents could be scrapped under a controversial review.
Essex Fire Service has published new proposals to "modernise" the county's brigade.
One of the most controversial suggestions is scrapping rescue tenders - the fire engines that carry specialist equipment to major incidents.
The equipment they carry includes heavy duty cutting gear, winches and vehicle lifting air cushions for road traffic accidents, but this could all be added to front line fire engines used in routine rescues.
The specially modified engines also currently transport pumps and rescue boats for floods and decontamination showers and radiation checking equipment for terrorist attacks.
Grays firefighter Paul Adams, secretary of the county's Fire Brigade Union, said: "Our worry is that this is a cost cutting measure in the name of modernisation.
"They are talking about fitting all that equipment on to the front line fire engines, but they are already full to the brim. Rescue tenders are operated by firefighters who have been given extra training to deal with specialist situations and we could lose that."
Under the county fire service's Integrated Risk Management Plan it also proposes introducing helicopters to transport firefighters to incidents more quickly.
But Adrian Clark, regional official for the Fire Brigade Union, said: "Helicopters are really expensive to run and we are worried this could divert resources from front line fire fighting services.
"It is possible a helicopter could transport firefighters to a scene quicker, but there are question marks over whether it could carry our heavy equipment.
"They can only be used in certain conditions, where as fire engines get to the scene come rain or shine."
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Gordon Hunter, director of operations for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "While these intentions may seem radical for Essex, many of them have already been successfully implemented in other fire services.
"The reason behind each intention has been a logical step towards improving the coverage we provide to the people of Essex."
Public consultation on the plans will run from Monday, July 7, to September 28.
During that time the plan, which would be implemented from 2009 to 2012, will be available to view at www.essexfire.gov.uk.
1:00am Monday 30th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: Paul Fretwell, Benfleet on 8:24pm Mon 30 Jun 08
My guess is that this is yet another EU directive affecting our services. This whole country is slowly being taken apart.
My guess is that this is yet another EU directive affecting our services. This whole country is slowly being taken apart.
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