A symbolic black coffin was carried through the streets of Truro as a stark warning that people will die if cuts are made to the fire service in Falmouth and Camborne - reports the Falmouth Packet.
The shocking imagery was used as part of a protest march involving hundreds of fire fighters, who were campaigning against proposals to cut 24-hour fire cover at the Falmouth and Camborne stations.
Firemen from Falmouth and Camborne were joined by colleagues from across the south west, as far as Gloucestershire, Somerset and the West Midlands, as well as members of the public in the march from Union Place to Lemon Quay last Thursday (May 31).
Many were carrying placards and posters drawing attention to the proposed closures by Cornwall county council.
The council wants to end overnight staffing at Camborne and Falmouth, the county's only stations that are manned around the clock, in order to balance a budget shortfall across the whole of the council.
However, removing the full-time overnight fire fighters from the stations would increase the time taken for the engine to reach a fire by dangerous levels - possibly up to seven or eight minutes longer.
The plans have been opposed by the Fire Brigades' Union, which led the rally through Truro. The union has said the move would lead to an increased likelihood of injuries.
Sean Taylor, Fire Brigade Union representative for the fire headquarters in Truro, said: "The bottom line is that council tax payers, when they dial 999 and ask for a fire engine all they want is for a fire engine to turn up with qualified firemen onboard.
"With what the county council are proposing that won't be guaranteed. If you take fire engines out the equation lives are going to be lost" he added.
The march took place on the same day as members of the county council's scrutiny committee met to discuss the draft Fire Brigade Service Plan 2007/2010, which is aimed at ensuring that every council service uses its resources effectively. The plan includes the proposals to cut the 24-hour cover.
Chief fire officer Matt Littmoden said: "One of the objectives included in the plan is changing the emergency cover provision at Falmouth and Camborne fire stations. Fire fighters would no longer be on station 24 hours a day. Full time fire fighters would be at the station during the day and at night time retained fire fighters would provide the emergency cover. I have had to recommend this objective because I had to make savings.
"The downgrading of Falmouth and Camborne is purely a consequence of the budget and it is the least worst option" he added.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment