Cuts to fire engines '˜will lead to delays' warn firefighters

Both Hornsea and Withernsea and either Market Weighton or Brough could lose an engine it emerged as Humberside Fire and Rescue Service began six weeks of consultation yesterday.

Savings per town in the East Riding of around £110,000 are small in comparison to the £1.1m saving if councillors agree to cut one of three engines at Immingham and close one of its two stations altogether.

However similar proposals were rejected when they were aired in 2008 and the town’s deputy mayor Stewart Swinburn, said residents would not want a change to what they regarded as an insurance policy.

Coun Swinburn said: “Everybody is fearful of anything happening - Immingham is just two miles from the Humber bank refineries. I know they have their own fire-fighting teams at the refineries, but you always need a back-up in case of a major event.”

Brigade secretary for Humberside FBU Richard Walker said there would also be an impact on people in the East Riding towns. Although the first engine would turn up within the target time, people would experience a delay waiting for a second engine in time-critical incidents like crashes and serious house fires. “When you have a two-vehicle collision there is a lot of work for a crew of five.

“That’s when you do need back-up and they are coming from the next town which is 30 minutes away,” he said.

The fire service says the options would save a maximum of £1.4m, but they could save £1m by changes to parts of the service not involving fire engines.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Blacksell urged people to attend one of five consultation events and give their views. The first is at Hornsea fire station from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday. He said: “Everything we are consulting upon has been designed to ensure that we can still meet the response standards that we are so proud of.”

An online consultation survey is available on the service’s website www.humbersidefire.gov.uk