Fire crew jobs risk as costs to be cut

Twelve firefighter posts could be lost at Kidderminster, Bromsgrove and Redditch as part of cutbacks proposed by chief officers, it was revealed today.

A further 12 job losses proposed under plans to be officially announced on Friday will bring the total to 38 during the past five years for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

At present there are 400 firefighters in the county.

Members of the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority will decide whether to give the go-ahead for the loss of the 12 posts which officials say will save about £420,000.

Other recommendations include streamlining back-office services to make savings of about £200,000 and continuing moves to find more efficiency savings and "service improvements".

Chief fire officers claim the move will enable "enough cover to ensure the safety of firefighters and to maintain an efficient operational response".

Pete Hope, chairman of Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigades Union, said: "This decision would mean the public will be less safe in 2009 than they were in 2008, and they are substantially less safe this year than five years ago. Council tax-payers are paying more and getting less."