Firefighters want pledge to protect key services

Firefighters used a public meeting hosted by the Scottish Government to call for assurances that the front line will not be hit by proposals to create a single service.

Members of the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) lobbied ministers outside the event in Kirkcaldy, Fife, and asked for assurances during the question-and-answer session.

The union raised concerns that £4 million has been cut from the revenue budget in the county and that further reductions would follow.

The intervention comes as justice secretary Kenny MacAskill prepares to confirm to parliament whether fire services will be merged into one national force. He is also widely expected to announce the merger of police forces.

Dozens of firefighters gathered outside the Adam Smith Theatre, where about 300 people took part in the summer Cabinet tour.

Speaking before the event, FBU Scottish secretary John Duffy said proposals on pensions and working conditions in England were “atrocious” and called for assurances from the SNP administration that the frontline will be protected from cuts in Scotland.

He said firefighters could become £2,000 worse off because of increased pension contributions south of the Border.

“The relationship between devolution, fire brigades and HM Treasury has never been tested,” he said.

“No matter what decisions are made, the main thing is the protection of front line services.

“We want assurances from the Scottish Government.”

Scott McCabe, FBU secretary for Fife, said he supports plans to merge brigades and establish a single service for Scotland but that changes must not add strain to budgets. He said 30 firefighter jobs have been cut and a further 20 could go in Fife, adding that the danger to society will increase if the service is based on budgets rather than on risk.