Fight Fire with Funding: Standing with Dundee Firefighters

That the Parliament acknowledges the concerns of the Fire Brigades Union, in light of the news that 10 appliances and high vehicles are to be mothballed due to a funding gap, including one appliance from Kingsway East Station in Dundee; understands that this reduction would bring the number of appliances in Dundee down to five in total, and only one at Kingsway East Station; further understands that firefighters and their union are extremely concerned that this reduction will cause significant risk to both firefighters and the public, and advise that there may not be the necessary cover needed to keep firefighters as safe as they can be in protecting communities; recognises that mobilising appliances from another station has an impact on the service’s ability to respond quickly, and could leave vulnerabilities elsewhere; understands that recruitment and retention are already an issue, with the fire service reportedly having lost 1,100 firefighters in the last 10 years, and notes the calls for immediate and sustained funding to prevent further cuts to personnel or equipment in this vital service.