West Midlands Fire Brigades Union says they are ‘dismayed’ at a decision to start charging members of the public for a range of services the fire authority now says are ‘non-emergencies’. The union says the public already pay for a service and don’t expect to be surcharged on top.
FBU Brigade Chair Roger Moore said: “This is another attack on the service we provide to the public in the West Midlands because of the savage cut in funding from the Government. The public already pay for their Fire Service and would not expect to have to pay again.
“So far this year there have been cuts to the number of firefighters on fire stations with the loss of 96 frontline jobs, we have also seen a fire station close. The number of frontline firefighters, fire engines and stations will only reduce further if the Government drives ahead with further cuts in the next 2 years which could amount to around a further £30million pounds.
“We urge the public of the West Midlands to voice their concerns and speak to their politicians and oppose further cuts to frontline firefighting services”.
