Fire union warns Hampshire service still underfunded despite investment

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 17:08 · Archive

The Fire Brigades Union says recent investment in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is welcome but insufficient to address rising response times.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that underfunding in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service remains a threat to public safety, despite recent investment. While the union welcomed the recruitment of new firefighter and officer posts alongside investment in specialist capabilities, it argued the improvements are insufficient.

Chris Wycherley, FBU executive council member for the southern region, said: "We credit Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority for recruiting new firefighter and officer posts, alongside investment in specialist capabilities. But in the context of the Conservative-led government gutting the fire and rescue service between 2010 and 2018 by cutting 12,000 firefighters nationally, these local improvements are a drop in the ocean."

The union highlighted performance concerns. Average response times have risen by more than 10 per cent in under five years, with fire engines now taking nearly 60 seconds longer to reach critical incidents. The current average response time stands at nine minutes and 49 seconds.

Mr Wycherley called for greater central government support. He said: "Central government funding for our local FRS is vital if we are to prepare adequately for future wildfires and to increase our ability as firefighters to respond promptly to emergencies. We want to keep the public safe, but you cannot do that without investing in firefighters and firefighting resources."

According to the Romsey Advertiser, the fire authority said the twelve new firefighter posts are part of a wider investment agreed to increase operational capacity following an "exceptionally busy" summer that included the service's largest incident in its history.

Fire union warns Hampshire service still underfunded despite investment — Image: Basingstoke Gazette

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How it is being reported

'Drop in the ocean': union warns fire service remains underfundedThe Fire Brigades Union says recent investment in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is welcome, but warns underfunding is still putting public safety at risk.Basingstoke Gazette · 9 Oct, 16:43
'Drop in the ocean': union warns fire service remains underfundedThe Fire Brigades Union says recent investment in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is welcome, but warns underfunding is still putting public safety at risk.Romsey Advertiser · 9 Oct, 16:39
'Drop in the ocean': union warns fire service remains underfundedThe Fire Brigades Union says recent investment in Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is welcome, but warns underfunding is still putting public safety at risk.Andover Advertiser · 9 Oct, 16:34

In this story: Fire Brigades Union · Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service · Chris Wycherley · Hampshire · Isle of Wight

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