Fire fighter numbers are slashed by 500 across Scotland
MSP Jackie Baillie, pictured above right, has highlighted information from the Fire Brigades Union which shows that more than 500 fire fighter jobs (full-time equivalent) have been slashed across the country despite major incidents such as the sickening blaze at Glasgow School of Art.
More than 1,000 firefighters have been cut across Scotland since 2010, and almost 100 have been slashed in the past year alone, despite the tragic incident at Grenfell Tower in London last summer.
Firefighters are responsible for rapid deployment to fires, floods, terrorist incidents, civil disturbances, industrial explosions, train accidents and other emergencies. A decrease in the number of firefighters causes an increased risk to the public as firefighters provide an all-hazard emergency service.
The MSP said: “The continued cuts to whole time firefighter posts are putting lives on the line. Firefighters are an integral part of our emergency service, they provide a range of services to keep the public safe. We simply cannot sustain the level of cuts that we have been experiencing.
“People across the country hold firefighters in high regard. The fire fighters in Helensburgh, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven are our local heroes, risking their lives to keep us safe. They deserve our support.
“The major incidents at Grenfell Tower and the Glasgow School of Art show just how vital our fire service is. It is time this Scottish Government recognised just how important this service is and funded it properly.”