Two weeks left to have say on fire service cuts

A 15 per cent cut in funding would lead to South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR ) having to save 9m a year from its 60m annual budget.

SYFR launched a public consultation in May, asking people for their opinions on topics including emergency response, staffing, community safety, joint-working options and priorities for the fire service.

Hundreds of people have already responded to the consultation document and the fire service is reminding those who have not yet had their say to do so before Monday, August 2.

Chief fire officer at SYFR Mark Smitherman said: "We want to make sure everyone has a chance to give us their views on how we cope with the inevitable reductions in our funding.

"We will use the feedback from local people and our own staff to help form our plans for the next three years, which will be published this autumn for further consultation.

"Since the consultation began we have had some excellent responses that will help us as we plan for the challenging times ahead.

"There is still time left for others to have their say, and I would urge people to look through the consultation document and give us their views."

Currently, the service spends about 36m a year on full-time firefighters, a further 12m on support staff, 999 control staff and part-time firefighters, and the remaining 12m on premises, vehicles, equipment and other costs.

People can view the consultation document and complete the survey by visiting the fire service website at www.syfire.gov.uk