Have Your Say on Local Fire Service Cuts

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Budget reduction could see loss of appliance in Ealing

Ealing residents have been urged to have their say over proposed changes to the fire service.

London Fire Brigade has launched a consultation over plans to meet £6.4m of budget cuts.

Two options are being considered, one would see the permanent removal of 13 fire engines - including one from Ealing, the other focussing on back office efficiencies, allowing the 13 engines to remain.

Ealing and Hillingdon London Assembly Member, Dr Onkar Sahota, has warned against cutting fire engines. He said 14 wards in Ealing saw a rise in response times in 2014/15, after the closure of 10 fire stations and loss of 14 engines.

Alternative proposals set out by Andrew Dismore AM, Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s Resource Committee, would meet the savings target through back office efficiencies and changing working patterns, enabling the 13 engines to be returned.

Dr Sahota AM, said:

“With our fire services facing uncertain times, and response times already rising significantly in Ealing, it’s important that local people have their say over the future of London’s fire service.

“The Mayor’s cuts mean that there are very tough decisions ahead. If you take fire engines out of service then of course response times could rise and lives could be put at risk. Nobody wants to see that happen. With frontline services at stake, it hugely important that local people are given the opportunity to make their views known.”

A public meeting to discuss both proposals and their impact for North West London, including Ealing, will take place at the Conference Hall, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ at 7pm on Monday 11 January.

 

January 7 2016