MSP Jackie Baillie is urging Helensburgh and Lomond residents to have their say on proposed cuts to Fire Service crewing.
The politician has launched a petition opposing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s plans for Helensburgh Fire Station.
If the proposals contained in the Service Delivery Review go ahead, the South King Street site will switch to a Day Crewing model.
That means that Helensburgh Fire Station will be on-call only between the hours of 6pm and 8am, if the plans are pushed through.
A wholetime crew will be located at the station daily between 8am and 10pm only.
MSP Jackie is opposed to the plans and has joined forces with local Fire Service staff in a campaign to ensure residents have their say.
She staffed a stall at Helensburgh’s Market in the Square on Saturday, informing residents of the changes and encouraging them to sign up to her petition.
Jackie, also Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, said: “I have real concerns over these cuts and what it would mean for Helensburgh and Lomond residents should they go ahead.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have admitted that an increase in response times can be expected out with core dayshift hours.
“It is unacceptable to place residents at increased risk and I am opposed to these plans.”
Helensburgh currently has two appliances, one crewed by wholetime firefighters and the other crewed by an on-call crew.
Currently the station operates with a full-time crew of 5 firefighters in a state of operational readiness to respond immediately.
They are supported by an on-call appliance, crewed by 10 personnel carrying a pager, who respond to incidents.
The second on call appliance would remain unchanged.
The politician is also behind a leaflet campaign, urging residents to have their say.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service bosses will also stage a public meeting as part of their consultation on the plans, which takes place at the Victoria Halls on Tuesday, August 26th, at 6pm.
The Fire Brigades’ Union will also hold a meeting at the Victoria Halls on Wednesday, August 20th, at 7pm.
Sign Jackie’s petition online at: https://form.jotform.com/252052879866067
