Firefighters and public at risk under new system

West Midlands firefighters have criticised their region's new system of fire risk management, claiming that has left whole areas without fire cover.

The FBU firefighters' union said that in recent months the fire service has been able to provide only one-third of its normal fire fighting capability, with just 20 fire engines available to fight fires in the West Midlands.

It said the untested and untried shift system was placing public and firefighter safety at risk. The system removes 13 appliances at night, while other appliances have been sent out, under threat of disciplinary action, with one firefighter short.