NEWS RELEASE
"SCOTTISH COUNCILS MUST REJECT 999 CUT BACKS" SAYS STUC"
In response to the revelation by the Fire Brigades Union that draft guidelines on making cuts in the Fire Service - including not attending some 999 calls and cutting provision outwith urban areas - have been sent secretly to local authorities across the country by the English Local Government Authority (LGA) and the Deputy Prime Minister's office, STUC General Secretary, Bill Speirs, said:
"I have on my desk a pile of letters from Scottish local authority Leaders which I received before last week's elections.
"Every one says, in these precise words: `Full consultation is a requisite part of a move to risk-based approach to fire cover. Any changes to the service including distribution of firefighters and appliances will require to demonstrate an improvement in public safety'.
"This was a welcome commitment from the Scottish employers.
"I look forward to them putting it into practice, whatever pressure may come from south of the border, because I am certain that any real consultation with the public will firmly reject putting money before lives."
NOTE TO EDITORS: Full details of the secret guidelines can be obtained from the Fire Brigades Union
http://www.fbuscotland.co.uk/cgi-bin/index.cgi
STUC CONTACT: Bill Speirs