Brighton and Hove firefighters thank public for seafront support
Firefighters from Brighton and Hove thanked hundreds of members of the public who signed a petition against proposed cuts in the area.
One firefighter said that there had been a “great turnout and great public support” as campaigners took to the seafront to spread their message.
They are concerned that East Sussex Fire Authority is considering making firefighters redundant and scrapping one of the fire engines serving Brighton and Hove.
The fire authority is consulting on the cuts after it said that it had to save £1 million by 2018-19.
One proposal involves removing a fire engine either from Preston Circus, in Brighton, or from Hove Fire Station. This would leave four appliances based in Brighton and Hove plus the aerial ladder platform.
Another possibility involves converting Roedean into a “day crewed plus” fire station, where staff would stay in on-site accommodation according to a rota.
Great to have all political parties joining local campaign to stop removal of Brighton & Hove fire engine. This is about public safety!!
— eastsussexfbu (@eastsussexfbu) May 18, 2014
Simon Herbert, the chairman of the East Sussex branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said: “We’ve been out for the past few weekends trying to raise awareness.
“There is a consultation taking place but when we speak to the public, people seem to be totally unaware that the fire authority will be making these decisions.”
Yesterday (Sunday 18 May) firefighters and campaigners against the cuts were joined by the Welephant mascot as they took advantage of the good weather drawing big crowds to the seafront.
Mr Herbert said: “It’s a great way of getting the public involved.
“We think the service has failed to get the message out there.
“There are other ways of doing that (making the financial savings). Don’t impact the safety of the public.
“We had great support from all political parties. Caroline Lucas (the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion) and Simon Kirby (the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown) came out. This is above party politics. It’s about safety.
“Nancy Platts (the Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown) has been very supportive right from the start.
“We met Mike Weatherley (the Conservative MP for Hove) last week and I believe he’s written to the chairman of the fire authority asking him not to make any cuts which would leave the public at risk.”
A public meeting is being held at the Brighthelm Centre in North Road, Brighton, on Thursday 29 May.
And the petition is due to be handed in to the fire authority when it meets in Eastbourne at 10.30am on Thursday 5 June.
@CarolineLucas Thanks again for supporting local firefighters campaign to stop fire engine being cut in City. pic.twitter.com/FjoMlifBAt
— eastsussexfbu (@eastsussexfbu) May 19, 2014
@SimonKirbyMP Thanks again for your support. Cutting fire engines in City will cost lives. pic.twitter.com/ZJ9S7ENwC9
— eastsussexfbu (@eastsussexfbu) May 19, 2014
