Fife fire service audit says it is 'difficult to see' how more cuts can be made without risking community safety

Cuts in the number of frontline firefighters in Fife are set to threaten public safety, an Audit Scotland report has warned.

By Aileen Robertson
Published in the Courier : 16.02.12
Published online : 16.02.12 @ 12.18pm

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The report, outlining the Account Commission's findings following an audit last June, was described as "damning" by former Fife fire officer and Fire Brigades Union secretary Neil Crooks.

The report stated: "FFRS has been required to make significant financial savings over recent years and faces the need to make further budget reductions. So far, it has managed this effectively, maintaining service delivery standards at the same time as reducing the size of its workforce.

"However, it now faces significant challenges with the need to make further savings of 4 to 4.5% in each of the following three years. It now faces a specific challenge to maintain its standard crewing levels for all emergency responses.

"Managers have worked creatively to help minimise the impact of this, but it is difficult to see how further savings can be achieved without the potential for some increase in community risks."

Mr Crooks, now a Labour councillor for Kirkcaldy North, said: "This is a damning report by Audit Scotland, which calls into question budgetary decisions taken by the SNP-led coalition.

"Financial pressures have forced Fife Fire and Rescue Service (FFRS) to cut the number of frontline firefighters to levels far below minimum safety standards. That this has been allowed to happen in the face of widespread public anxiety betrays a serious failure of political leadership at Fife Council.

"I can only hope the SNP-led coalition closely examines this report and comes to the same conclusion that the people of Fife have already reached before these cuts threaten public safety."

Last year, Fife's chief fire officer Neil McFarlane said although efficiency savings had not yet had an effect on the service's ability to respond to incidents, funding pressures could have an impact in years to come.

As a result of funding issues, the service has been forced to identify cash saving measures and is expected to have lost 13% of its staff by next month.

Fire and rescue falls under the remit of Fife Council's police, fire and safety committee (PFSC), which during meetings sometimes struggles to cover the wide range of issues up for discussion.

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