East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) is proposing a further round of cutbacks that are so stringent that many believe lives will be put at risk.
Firefighters in Rye have been shocked to learn that potentially catastrophic plans to cut fire cover in Hastings will inevitably lead to delays for residents of Rye and surrounding villages with possible loss of lives.
The proposals will see a significant cut to the number of firefighters at the Ridge Fire Station in Hastings where a different duty system will be imposed on the staff. This will mean the fire engine will be downgraded, adding a delay in its response at night. Currently, it is crewed 24/7 on an immediate response, but the proposals mean it will only turn out immediately during the day.
In Rye, the second fire engine has already been axed, leaving the area without the critical cover it needs. Now ESFRS is proposing further plans to downgrade the service.
Leo Cacciatore, a local representative of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said; “It takes nine firefighters or two fire engines to quickly deal with even a small house fire safely or a road traffic accident. Without support from a second fire engine, it delays us doing our job. If people need rescuing, it is vital we have three fire engines attend. These proposals make it less safe for the community.”
He added; “In recent years we have seen the loss of one in every five firefighters in our service due to government austerity and cutbacks. These cuts go far deeper than we have ever known and will represent significant challenges to us when dealing with incidents and will put at risk our ability to provide a resilient and effective service.
“With these cuts in place, firefighters will be unable to quickly get on top of any fire or put in the interventions needed to prevent further loss of property and increased risk to the loss of life.”
A lack of attention to recruitment and retention of staff for the retained duty system has also had its impact at Rye, and the reduction in numbers through retirements has exacerbated the problem.
Helena Dollimore, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Hastings and Rye, told Rye News: "I strongly oppose these attempts to downgrade our local fire service. With more extreme weather events like the recent devastating flooding, more storms, and the heatwave last summer risking wildfires, our local firefighters and the service they provide have never been more important. Our firefighters risk their lives to protect our community and in return, they must have the resources to do their job in the safest, quickest way. I urge people to join our campaign calling on the East Sussex Fire Authority to rethink."
Ms. Dollimore urges everyone concerned about these proposed cuts to sign the petition here: www.helenadollimore.com/saveourfireservice
Cllr Phil Scott, East Sussex County councillor added; “As a Hastings-based ESFRS Fire Authority Member I know only too well what any reduction in fire cover from the Ridge Fire Station will mean. It will mean that the northern flank of the borough and beyond will receive a diluted service which will see vital minutes lost in attendance times for areas such as Fairlight, Guestling, Icklesham, Winchelsea, and Rye. Lives could be lost in the name of saving money. That is not acceptable and I will oppose any such move."
The proposals represent a complete U-turn by ESFRS, as they contradict their own data from the 2020 integrated management plan which actually proposed the need for an extra Hastings fire engine.
Leo Cacciatore summed it all up; “We are seeing our service being decimated.”
