Campaigners attack decision to remove one city fire engine
CAMPAIGNERS have called a decision to axe one of Derby's fire engines, despite a 20,000-name petition against the move, as "bad for democracy".
Fire authority members voted to remove one of the two engines at Ascot Drive Fire Station, despite strong opposition from union representatives and the public.
It reduces the number of engines in the city from four to three, with others at Nottingham Road and Kingsway stations staying put. As part of a new authority strategy, fire stations at Swadlincote, Matlock and Glossop will be upgraded to full-time and manned 24 hours a day.
They are currently manned from 8am to 6pm.
The Derby Telegraph and the public were barred from hearing the debate prior to the decision, taken yesterday at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service's Littleover headquarters.
An official said that members of the public and Press were not allowed into the debate because it would be discussing matters relating to people's employment conditions. She quoted the Local Government Act 2000.
The result was announced after more than 90 minutes of intense discussion and left opponents repeating fears that it could put lives at risk.
City councillor Ranjit Banwait has campaigned against the plans since they were revealed by the fire service in September.
He said last night: "We should be investing money in Derby, not taking it away. This shows that elected members will not listen to the public.
"It's a bad day for democracy and a bad day for consultation. They had already made up their minds.''
Before the meeting, opponents – including firemen – protested outside the building, calling for the engine to be saved.
They stopped members of the fire authority as they drove in and asked them to vote against the plans.
But despite their pleas, members voted along party lines – with Labour councillors outvoted by the Tory and Lib Dem representatives.
After the meeting, deputy chief fire officer Sean Frayne said the changes would increase cover across the county and claimed the same number of engines would attend fires.
He said: "We currently have 10 full-time appliances operating from nine stations. That will rise to 12 appliances at 12 stations – there will be an increase in fire cover.
"I can understand members of the public signing a petition. They were asked 'do you agree with a 25% reduction in fire cover provision in Derby?'
"That in isolation would maybe persuade me to sign but you need to look at the whole picture. The community will not receive any less response to emergency calls."
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by Anon, Derby
Saturday, March 13 2010, 11:05AM
“Joan -
It doesn't matter if the calls are genuine emergencies or not, they still have to attend. So everytime there's an automatic fire alarm going off at The Royal, Westfield or Student accomodation etc, at least 2 trucks turn up. Every malicious call has to be checked.
Its not just fire calls either. It is fire and resue. Car smashes, suicides attempts, spillages of fluids/chemicals etc.
3 truck are not enough for a city. It's a stupid and dangerous decision.”
by Alan Graves, Derby
Friday, March 12 2010, 3:05PM
“Res Derby Derby or is it Barbara? I think when people post on here but are so unsure of themselves that they have to hide behind pseudonyms speaks volumes. As Winston Churchill said 'some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party'.”
by Joan, Derby
Friday, March 12 2010, 3:00PM
“Every time they get rid of a vehicle we have this argument. To be honest there does seem to be less fires than they used to be, perhaps if the figures were published showing how many times engines were called out on genuine emergencies the public could judge better.”
by anon, here
Friday, March 12 2010, 1:13PM
“this is just the start watch out for more cuts to all services”
by Brian, DE23
Friday, March 12 2010, 12:50PM
“Take it the Fire Authority will be asking me for 25% less this year in my council tax payments then.
Lets hope the moron's that voted for this will be watching their house burn down due to a delay in the pump arriving from Swad or Duffield.”