Crews campaign on service change

The FBU believes safety will be put at risk from cuts at Balmossie

Firefighters in Tayside have started their campaign against proposed changes to services in the area.

Fire brigade bosses plan to pull the night-time crew from Balmossie station in Dundee, and have the overnight cover done by part-time firefighters.

That would allow them to put on an extra day crew at Perth and Forfar.

However, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) believes any cuts are dangerous. It will be handing out leaflets and posters and will hold public meetings.

It is also urging local politicians and businesses to get behind the campaign.

Industrial action has not been ruled out.

The Balmossie station covers the area around Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and Barnhill.

Jim Malone from the FBU said: "It's a population of almost 30,000, they have almost 20,000 dwellings, they have a hospital, over a dozen care homes, there are in the region of 20 hotels and boarding houses.

"We have 50 licensed premises, we have 220 shops, we have 71 offices and other businesses and we have 35 factories and warehouses, all covered by that one whole-time pump and one retained pump.

The campaign will involve handing out posters and holding meetings

"To reduce that is not acceptable. We absolutely understand the pressures that public services are under financially, however, these financial pressures cannot be passed onto the pressure to save people's lives."

Campaign co-ordinator, Eddie Thomson, added: "The people of Broughty Ferry and Monifieth and the area need to waken up and say, 'What the hell's going on here?'

"Some families are paying £250 a month community charge, they deserve the best that we can offer and at the moment we have the best scenario there.

"To do away with it would be an absolute disaster."

Tayside Fire and Rescue has said that research shows the fire crews would be better used at Perth and Forfar.

They added that they did not believe that people in the Broughty Ferry/Monifieth areas would be at any added risk from cuts in services at Balmossie.