The Fire Brigades Union is rallying support for their campaign against cuts to fire and rescue services with a mass rally in George Square, Glasgow, on Thursday 24 August, from 1 pm to 2 pm.
The background: ‘On 26 May the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) announced a programme of £11 million worth of cuts required in order for the Service to deliver a balanced budget for the 2023/24 financial year.
‘These cuts impact communities across Scotland and included the ‘mothballing’ of ten wholetime fire appliances, and a further significant reduction in firefighter posts across Scotland.
‘Worse yet, SFRS anticipate a further £25 million worth of savings will be needed to be found over the following three financial years up to 2026/27.
‘The Fire Brigades Union is clear – these cuts will decimate the fire and rescue service in Scotland, undermining the credibility of SFRS as an effective emergency service protecting Scotland’s communities.
‘Firefighters know that these cuts aren’t sustainable. They see the impact of underinvestment in their Service every day and the increased risk to the public as a result. That’s why the FBU has started the #CutsLeaveScars campaign to highlight to politicians and the public what the real impact of these enforced cuts will be’.
Erik Cramb’s recent article on this website highlighted the crisis facing our country’s emergency services, underlining that it is ‘ever more urgent that we speak up for the shared interest we all have in properly funded public services’.