To: Mr Peter Corcoran, Chairman,
Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority,
Bridle Rd ,
Bootle,
Merseyside
L30 4YD.

RE: THE FIRE INTEGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION.

SUBMISSION BY THE SOUTHPORT PARTY

The Southport Party wish to make clear that they have grave concerns regarding the 3rd machine, AND now the high lift aerial appliance at Southport fire station being downgraded from full time manning , to part time personnel ( retained firefighters), who will have to travel from all areas of Southport in response to an emergency, with their arrival times at the fire station being up to a stated 30 minutes from call out .
This action, together with the overall reduction of full time fire cover in Merseyside, we feel will inevitably mean an unacceptable lowering of the service to the public.
Our party believes lives are being put at risk unnecessarily as a result of funds being diverted from front line fire fighting , causing a situation that will only end in tears.
We fail to see how the fire authority slogan “ MAKING COMMUNITIES SAFER “ can hold up if these obvious cost cutting measures are implemented, it simply does not make sense.
Despite repeated requests from the public, made to the chair of the Southport area committee, for The Chief Fire Officer to attend and explain his proposals, and his stated willingness to do so ,the chair has refused point blank.
The attitude of the council is that the fire authority knows best, and the council and public should not interfere .
The Southport Party believes the public, who pay for the fire and rescue service have a right to have a say in matters of community safety and concern , and the consultation period leading up to these decisions has been an under publicised sham.

WHAT PRICE A LIFE?

Will the fire authority please confirm the part time fire fighter ( retained) attendance response times for the 3rd fire engine and the high lift aerial appliance ?