Perth and Kinross: FBU Mass Rally
Perth firefighters and local councillor to protest against "dangerous" cuts
Last updated 24th Oct 2023
At least 20 Perth firefighters and a Perth City North councillor will this week join firefighters from across Scotland protesting outside the Scottish Parliament against “dangerous” cuts to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
Firefighters are considering strike action.
Perth-based Fire Brigades Union (FBU) exec committee (Scotland) member Colin Brown fears people could phone 999 and be told the SFRS cannot respond to the call.
On Thursday, October 26 Perth City North councillor Brian Leishman and over 20 Perth firefighters will take part in an FBU mass rally outside Holyrood at 11am.
Why is the rally taking place?
The SFRS has announced it needs to make at least £14 million of cuts next year which could result in a loss of 18 appliances and 339 firefighters – on top of the 10 appliances and 166 firefighter posts cut this year.
On September 4, five posts were cut in Perth and Perth Fire Station went from having three water pumps to two – its third appliance now operates purely as a dedicated aerial rescue vehicle. The cuts were part of the first phase of around £36 million of savings being made over the next four years by the SFRS.
FBU Scotland is consulting all branches on strike action “in opposition to a devastating package of cuts imposed by the Scottish Government”.
Senior FBU member Colin Brown said: “Workers’ voices have to be listened to. When we’re saying there’s an existential threat to the safety of our communities it has to be listened to. Because once we’re gone, we’re not coming back.
“And we’re not in a position where someone picks up the phone and dials 999 to say, ‘Your call’s important to us but we can’t afford to come out to it ‘ – but that’s the position we’re being pushed to.”
Role of firefighters 'much more dangerous'
Concerned Labour councillor Brian Leishman said: “Having less firefighters on the run and having less vital equipment to do their job has made their roles much more dangerous and understandably hammered their morale.
“Perth and Kinross has sharply felt the force of these cuts.”
He said the cuts meant the difference between life and death.
The Perth City North councillor added: “With these cuts it means that response times will go up and if people are trapped in a burning building, then time is obviously vital. Our fire service being able to respond quickly is the difference between life and death and the government cuts being inflicted on the fire service is jeopardising firefighter and community safety.”
Impact on flooding
FBU Perth branch secretary David Evans said the cuts have left Perth with reduced capacity to respond to the recent flooding.
He said: “There are less firefighters available to respond with only two pumps rather than three. We do the best we can.
“To properly run the fire service in a safe manner, we need more Scottish Government investment.
“At least 20 firefighters from Perth will attend the protest on Thursday.”
Scottish Government's response
A Scottish Government spokesperson said Scotland had more firefighters – per head of the population – than the rest of the UK.
The spokesperson said: “Firefighters play a vital role in protecting our communities and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has continued to deliver the high standard of services required to keep Scotland safe. That is why, despite difficult financial circumstances due to UK Government austerity, we are providing SFRS with more than £368 million this year, an increase of £14.4 million on 2022-23.
“Whilst the allocation of resources, along with the recruitment and retention of firefighters, is an operational matter for SFRS, we are maintaining frontline services, with a higher number of firefighters in Scotland than other parts of the UK.
“Ministers will continue engaging with the FBU to discuss their concerns.”