FBU members in Cornwall are celebrating a huge step forward in a fight to save control in the county.
In September the chief fire officer informed control staff that the entire control service would be shut. All staff were to be made redundant or redeployed. Fire control in the area was to be outsourced.
However members in the area fought back with a campaign. This culminated in a mass lobby of the councillor meeting on the proposal.
Councillors in the meeting did not approve the proposal and instead ordered an inquiry to be undertaken, looking at options that will keep control open and could even see it receive extra funding.
Shutting control is not entirely off the table but local FBU officials are of the view that that possibility has taken a significant hit.
Val Hampshire, EC member for the South West said in an All Cornwall Members Circular:
“The solidarity and strength shown by FBU members in Cornwall has secured this successful position. The next fight for the FBU and you, its members, will be to ensure the funding is found by Cornwall Council to safeguard the future of Control within CFRS.”
