Rising costs putting Gloucestershire Fire Service under strain
Fire Service chiefs are blaming Brexit and the cost of living crisis for a surge in costs and delivery times for equipment
Firefighters in Gloucestershire say buying new kit is getting increasingly difficult because of a mix of Brexit and the cost of living crisis.
Speaking at a recent council meeting Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service chiefs revealed some kit is costing more than double before and the supply of goods is becoming a real challenge, with the amount of time deliveries are taking now much longer.
One example they gave was of a stretcher which they ordered in July 2021 and took 15 months to be delivered.
The cost of consumables and specialist equipment replacement is putting current budgets under considerable pressure too, they told the fire and rescue scrutiny committee on May 26.
A handheld hose branch that cost £300 now costs £800 and the price of firefighter gloves has risen from £42 to £97
While the cost of 70mm hoses has gone up from £129.23 to £191.77 each and high pressure hydraulic hoses for cutting equipment which used to cost £374.45, now cost £608.34.
And the price of high pressure water hoses has increased to £320.08 from £206.03.
The cost of E-Force spreaders, which are used to access vehicles involved in accidents, has risen from £6398.00 to £7294.00.
Chairman Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) asked if any of the increases were as a consequence of the UK leaving the European single market and customs union.
“I’m sure quite a lot of the supplies we are getting are from the European Union. Has that had an impact on the costs we are paying and also maybe the supply times?
“And also if manufacturers in the UK are buying in components from the EU they might well be having more difficulty getting parts, more red tape to bring things in.”
Head of logistics and resources Mike Hammond said he could not disagree with Cllr Hilton’s comments and said the increase in costs was due to a number of factors.
“I’m sure it has ramifications. I know for a fact the Ukraine war, gas prices, even though they are coming down, are still very high,” he said.
“I would say, it’s absolute madness, the length of time it plays havoc for me as a budget holder as well. You think you order it one year and then suddenly it comes in another year and I’ve got an implication for the budget.”