Brigade may use fire engines for advertising

Senior staff at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have drawn up a plan which will allow them to exploit opportunities for sponsorship, including adverts on appliances and stations.

The brigade said the idea was in its "early stages", but claimed it had received a high level of support from staff who had been consulted over ideas to bring in extra money.

A spokesman said selling advertising would be part of a wider scheme to attract sponsorship, but added: "We would consider advertising similar to the way it's done on buses.

"A local business could also sponsor its local station. It is about protecting ourselves from some of the public sector cuts we are facing and protecting the services we provide to the public."

Humberside and North Yorkshire fire chiefs have never pursued advertising revenue, and the West Yorkshire brigade said it also had no plans to advertise on its buildings or engines.

The advertising and sponsorship scheme will be considered when the fire and rescue authority meets later this month.

News of the South Yorkshire brigade's intentions came as leading officers in West Yorkshire unveiled a plan to save 20m in four years – which includes shedding 120 jobs.