Bid to remove second Hayes fire engine comes under spotlight (From Hillingdon Times)
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Bid to remove second Hayes fire engine comes under spotlight
5:45pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in Local News By Jack White
UNDER THREAT: The second fire engine at Hayes is one of several planned for withdrawal. Picture: Ben Sutherland
PLANS to withdraw a fire engine from Hayes fire station will face public scrutiny at an open meeting on April 2.
The meeting, at Uxbridge Civic Centre, is part of London Fire Brigade’s consultation on its draft Fifth London Safety Plan.
It proposes to remove the second fire engine from Hayes as a cost saving as the number of fires in Hillingdon has halved in the decade to 2011/12.
Ron Dobson, London Fire Commissioner said: “I also acknowledge that it is not possible to make reductions in fire stations and fire engines without impacting on arrival times at incidents.”
Twelve stations may close across London, with around 520 staff made redundant. The brigade claims it will still be able to meet response times.
The Fire Brigades' Union, which opposes the measures, has organised a street march this Saturday against the proposals.
Paul Embery, FBU Regional Secretary for London, said: “Public safety is playing second fiddle to crude economic ideology and that is inexcusable.”
To have your say, email londonsafetyplan@london-fire.gov.uk, phone 0800 9888 569 or attend the public meeting at Hillingdon Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge on April 2 from 7pm-9pm. Consultation runs until May 28.
