Motion 46
Balmossie Community Fire & Ambulance Station
“That this Congress notes that, since 2013, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service’s resource budget has reduced in real terms by £58 million per annum, with 1,239 firefighter posts lost.
“Congress is further reminded of the dedicated work of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scotland through its 2023 paper; ‘Firestorm, a Report into the Future of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’ and its campaigns: ‘Cuts Leave Scars’, on the need for resources for DECON, and ‘Climate Emergency’, on the impact of the climate crisis on SFRS services.
“Congress calls on General Council to lobby the Scottish Government to instruct the SFRS to maintain the current level of Fire & Rescue Services at Balmossie Fire Station in Broughty Ferry, Dundee. It also opposes the apparent trend towards cuts in stations, appliances, and firefighters, and the increase in response times across Scotland.
“Congress commends the ‘Save Balmossie’ campaign led by the Scottish FBU and recognises the opposition to the proposed downgrade / closure by all local Councillors, MSPs and MPs.
“Congress demands that the SFRS takes cognisance of, and acts on, the results of its ‘Options for Change’ Service Delivery Review, in which the local community rejected all downgrading options and demanded that they be afforded the Fire and Rescue Services they deserve. Indeed, more than 1/4 of all responses to the consultation concerned Balmossie.
“Congress notes that, at the Holyrood debate on 15 January, there was cross party rhetorical support for our Fire & Rescue Service and those who work in it. As implementation of the Service Delivery Review moves beyond the election in May, the public will have an opportunity to make clear to politicians that the Fire & Rescue Service needs more than just rhetorical support. It needs the resources to ensure it is fit for the future.”
Mover: Dundee Trades Union Council
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