Jackie Baillie mounts fresh opposition to fire service cuts

MSP Jackie Baillie has handed over a raft of signatures opposing proposed Fire Service cuts.

The politician presented the signatures, gathered as part of her petition against the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s proposals to downgrade services, at Helensburgh Fire Station.

Jackie, who represents Helensburgh and Lomond, took to the streets to encourage residents to support her petition, as well as running an online version.

Hundreds of residents backed the petition – to oppose cuts proposed as part of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Service Delivery Review.

The plan, which will see crews cut back at Helensburgh Fire Station, was proposed last year and went out to public consultation in September.

A decision was due in December, but the SFRS delayed the outcome.

Under the “dangerous” proposals, Helensburgh will switch to a ‘Day Crewing’ model – where emergency cover will switch to ‘on-call only’, between 6pm and 8am.

Currently, a whole-time crew is based at the station 24 hours a day, with a second on-call appliance available.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service admit that response times are expected to increase if the plans are waved through.

MSP Jackie, also Scottish Labour’s Deputy Leader, has previously labelled the plans both “dangerous” and “reckless”.

She said: “I am on record as opposing these dangerous cuts and I am clear that these changes will increase response times and put our communities at greater risk.

“I was delighted to hand over the signatures, which represents the views of local people, opposing these planned cuts.

“I would urge the Scottish Fire and Rescue to take note of the strength of opposition within the community, and beyond, to the cuts proposed as part of the Service Delivery Review.”

Jackie handed over her petition to Iain McMeekin, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer and Head of Operational Delivery for the West of Scotland, alongside Area Commander Joe McKay, Senior Officer for Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute.