THREAT TO CUT LISBURN FIRE COVER

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has described potential moves as “unacceptable”.

Rumours have been circulating this week that cuts within the Department of Health could drastically affect the fire cover provided in Lagan Valley and other areas of Northern Ireland.

It is believed that could result in Lisburn suffering cuts to its wholetime (fulltime) personnel who currently cover the city 24 hours a day. Instead it would be downgraded to a ‘variable crewing’ which would mean full time firefighters in place from 11.00am to 11pm with and part-time firefighters covering the night shift.

Mr Donaldson explained: “I am very concerned about this potential development which would significantly reduce the level of fire cover in Lisburn City.

“I acknowledge the good work done by the part-time fire fighters who do an excellent job but we are talking about a large city which requires 24 hour cover.”

Mr Donaldson pointed to statistical evidence which shows people are most at harm from fire during the night.

“This is unacceptable”, he said. “Lisburn is one of the fastest growing areas in Northern Ireland and it would be wrong to change the level of cover we currently enjoy and me and my colleagues will strongly oppose any move to do so.”

The Fire Brigades Union welcomed Mr Donaldson’s support. A spokesman for the Union said cuts to the service would reduce its ability to respond to emergency calls threatening members of the public and firefighters.

They said: “Response times of front line appliances would be increased, placing the lives of the public at risk.

“The proposal is to reduce the cover at night to part-time. This would increase the time it would take a fire engine to respond to a house fire, road traffic collision etc. Most serious injuries and deaths occur at night - the very time that full time cover is proposed to be withdrawn.”

Jim Barbour, Northern Ireland leader of the Fire Brigades Union said: “We have a very serious situation where recent DHSSPS documentation identifies over 20 fire stations across Northern Ireland for downgrading or closure.

“In Lagan Valley, Lisburn Fire Station is at risk and Fire Stations in neighbouring constituencies are also under threat. Together this means that the public, local businesses and firefighters of Lagan Valley would find their livelihoods and indeed their lives at increased risk. We call on local politicians from across the political spectrum to join with us and the public in protecting a truly vital emergency service”.

Local FBU representative Neil Robinson added: “I do not believe that any rational person who examines the proposed cuts would fail to recognise the risk to public safety should the proposed cuts go ahead. I would implore the Executive and DHSSPS to urgently reconsider these proposals.”

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety declined to comment on the matter due to the forthcoming elections.

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