Firefighters' union condemns plans to downgrade services

The FBU firefighters' union has condemned plans in the government's Fire and Rescue Services Bill that it warns will downgrade the rescue role of the fire service and lead to cuts. The proposals are being presented as improving fire prevention through local risk management plans, but the union is concerned about the role of the rescue service.

The FBU is demanding a serious rethink of the proposals and is particularly worried about:

* the effects of reducing the speed and numbers of firefighters sent to 999 calls;

* plans to cut back on sending vital rescue and fire control equipment;

* the intention to dramatically reduce responses to automatic fire alarms in places where people live, including flats;

* cutting responses to automatic fire alarms in office blocks, factories and warehouses; and

* plans to shut emergency fire control rooms and create large regional versions.

FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said: "The Fire Service has been involved in prevention work for nearly one hundred years. Prevention is an important addition to the rescue role of the fire service but it is not a replacement for intervention."