London Fire Brigade can remain world class despite need to make savings

Londoners are being invited to have their say on fire safety issues, after a public consultation was launched by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.

The Draft Fifth London Safety Plan includes proposals to close 12 fire stations, remove 18 fire engines and relocate 4, while reducing the number of firefighter posts by 520. The Authority believes all these changes can be made without impacting on response time targets, currently averaging at six minutes across the capital and among the fastest in the country, as well as avoiding compulsory redundancies.

Commissioner Ron Dobson comments on the challenges ahead, saying: “Compared to ten years ago, the Brigade attends half as many fires, a third fewer house fires and almost a third fewer incidents overall. But there is always more to be done. In the future, the resources available to the Brigade will reduce and the number of people who can work for the Brigade and provide our services will also reduce. We have passed the point where we can make the necessary level of savings without any impact on our fire stations.

“In this draft plan, I set out how I propose to make those savings, while continuing to provide an excellent emergency response service and also protecting the delivery of community safety and fire safety services. I remain committed to my long term vision for London Fire Brigade to remain a world class fire and rescue service for London, Londoners and visitors.”

London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority chairman, James Cleverly, welcomes the consultation, commenting: “The Draft Fifth London Safety Plan explains how, over the coming years, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority will deliver the Mayor’s objective of making the capital a safer city. The long term trend in London is for an ever decreasing number of fires, fire deaths and injuries from fire. This must continue.

“The plan outlines a range of proposals that together will ensure London Fire Brigade provides the public with the best fire and rescue service in the country while also playing its part in helping balance the nation’s finances. Under these proposals, more London boroughs will fall within the six minute average attendance time target for the first fire engine to arrive at an emergency and the Brigade's ability to deal with major incidents will be maintained.

“The Commissioner’s plan is based on the best possible information and his decades of experience as a firefighter spent keeping Londoners safe. I am pleased to be able to give it my full support.”

The Draft also pledges to further the case for sprinkler systems to be installed, with care homes and housing for older people being among those buildings that are high on the agenda.

The next public meeting is being held tomorrow in Merton and Sutton, with more dates scheduled up until 17 June, though members of the public can also contribute online at http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/lsp5.asp, by calling 0800 9888 569, or by writing to the London Fire Brigade at 169 Union Street, London, SE1 0LL.