Avon Firefighter Job Cuts Draw Fire From Union in Budget Row

The fire service faces budget issues. Union members are upset about some changes. Avon Fire & Rescue wants to save money. They plan to cut four firefighter jobs, though these will not be layoffs of current staff, as the roles will vanish as people leave.

Leaders want to save £500,000 next year, but deeper cuts of £1.3 million are still needed. Chief Fire Officer Shilton spoke on the matter, where a £5.5 million deficit is expected soon, and this decline will unfold over four years.

The Fire Brigades Union strongly disagrees and wishes to maintain current staffing levels. The union seeks five firefighters per truck, believing this is best for public safety. Last year, plans to cut 40 posts were delayed.

The fire service proposed “service efficiencies,” a plan that aims to balance the budget, specifically for the next 12 months. Members will discuss finances next month, sharing the details on fixing the deficit.

To save money, shifts may change, and day-duty firefighters could work frontline. This would cover lost firefighter posts and potentially cut overtime expenses. Some staff may return to emergency duties as well.

No fire stations will close, and fire engine availability will stay the same. Fire engine crewing will also stay the same. Leaders insist on maintaining service, believing job cuts are less damaging now than other, harder-hitting fixes.

The union says this hurts important work, which ties into concerns from government inspectors last year. They think the workload is not sustainable, as it could mean overwork and less training, impacting incident response too.

The service wants to improve fire engine moves, where data will help reposition engines better. They hope to save £50,000 a year from “standby movements” savings, and the moves balance emergency cover.

The union fears consequences for response times, as the station gaps worsen this issue. Chief Shilton said action is needed now, and careful financial planning is vital to reduce future risks.

The Chief stated their deficit is real and they must handle it efficiently. Everything should be sustainable, he added, and they must minimize effects on safety. Raising council tax is an option, which would provide needed resources.

Without the council tax increase, deeper cuts are needed. The chief said changes are emotive, but leaders believe the choices are fair. The average council tax will rise £5, covering fire service costs.

A smaller council tax rise was rejected, as that fix would also require more cuts. The government funding was lower than predicted. A council member said raising taxes is wise, as it reduces deeper cuts next year.

Another councillor understands tax concerns but says it’s a small cost weekly. He feels the fire service gives good value, but there are still clear budget disagreements happening.