MPs dismayed by fire service cuts

Retained crews will be trained to use turntable ladders

Local MPs have spoken out against cuts to Devon fire stations.

The fire authority, which faces a £1.3m shortfall, voted to continue full-time staffing at Ilfracombe, Paignton, Exmouth and Plympton.

However members voted to axe 24 full time posts in Exeter, Torquay and Barnstaple and allow dual-crewing of aerial platforms.

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has called for a judicial review, while East Devon MP Hugo Swire wants more central funding.

Mr Swire has written to the local government minister, asking for the previous levels of funding to be reinstated.

The dual-crewing decision means turntable ladders will be manned by crews instead of dedicated specialist staff.

It is the one that has the least adverse impact on the service we provide Paul Young, Chief Fire Officer

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) who campaigned against the cuts said it was a bitter disappointment.

FBU spokesman Bob Walker said a serious fire in Ilfracombe on Thursday had demonstrated the need for dedicated aerial ladder crews.

"If the crews had been out doing community fire safety work they would've been sent to the fire in the fire appliance," he told BBC News.

"Then there wouldn't have been a specialised team available to take the hydraulic platform out.

"We could have lost the whole terrace if it hadn't been for that platform.

Union meeting

But Chief Fire Officer Paul Young said the authority had taken the only viable option.

"I have absolutely no doubt that it is the one that has the least adverse impact on the service we provide to the public," he said.

The fire authority has said no jobs will be lost because of the cuts and retained crews will be trained to use the turntable ladders.

The FBU will meet next week to discuss whether to take any further action.