Northumberland fire chief slams 999 cover criticism

Posted by The Journal on Dec 22, 08 11:10 AM in News

Northumberland Fire Chief Brian Hesler A fire chief has strongly denied claims that 999 cover is being over-stretched in Northumberland - although he admits that the service is currently operating with 19 firefighters short.

County chief fire officer, Brian Hesler, has slammed what he described as "scaremongering" over fire and rescue cover and an alleged shortage of front-line firefighters.

Mr Hesler says a claim that the brigade is currently short of 28 firefighters is "misleading", although he concedes it is operating with 19 firefighter vacancies and has launched a recruitment drive.

He says the manpower situation is having an effect on the availability of one of the two fire appliances based at Blyth, but insists there are always five others available to cover the south-east of the county.

Mr Hesler spoke out after a Northumberland fire service source claimed the brigade is currently 28 firefighters short of its normal establishment of around 130.

The source says it is now commonplace for one fire appliance to try to cover two station areas at once. He claims that often all of Blyth, Cramlington, Seaton Delaval and Cambois are reliant on one fire engine.

He also alleges that at one point last week, staffing shortages and a 999 incident resulted in a large area of the county being covered by one appliance. Mr Hesler said this claim was "wholly incorrect", and there were three appliances available in Ashington and Morpeth at the time.

Yesterday he said: "The statement that we are running with 28 firefighters short is misleading, and although we are running with 19 firefighter vacancies - which has some effect on the availability of one of the two fire appliances at Blyth - there are always five other fully operational fire appliances available in south east Northumberland.

"These appliances are based at Blyth, Ashington, Cramlington and Morpeth and can be mobilised as appropriate. Therefore, it is not commonplace that one appliance has to cover virtually all of the area as suggested.

"Scaremongering of this nature undermines the very positive work of our firefighters to keep Northumberland communities safer.

"Indeed, a recent Audit Commission inspection identified that we are performing at a high standard and continue to offer value for money to taxpayers."

The 19 firefighter vacancies have been caused by a high volume of retirements of staff reaching their 30 years' service, and recruitment of replacements is currently under way.

Mr Hesler said firefighters from other brigades have been invited to transfer into Northumberland, current retained staff in the county are being urged to become whole-time firefighters and an external recruitment programme has been launched.

Colin James, Northumberland Fire Brigades' Union secretary, said: "I know we are below the establishment level we should be at, although I am not aware of any serious problems with cover."

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