That the Parliament acknowledges that firefighters carry out vital work to save the public and buildings from fire; values the work that firefighters do every day to ensure the safety of the public; appreciates that the work firefighters carry out can be extremely dangerous; notes that the use of equipment, such as height appliances, assists firefighters to carry out rescues and inspections safely; understands that Crewe Toll Fire Station, in Edinburgh, is at risk of losing its height appliance, a turntable ladder, as a result of the reported £11 million in cuts announced for 2023-24 by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS); notes the belief that removing this appliance from Crewe Toll Fire Station will have a detrimental impact on the ability of firefighters to attend to fires in buildings above four floors; further notes with concern that there are over 50 buildings with more than four floors in the area surrounding Crewe Toll Fire Station; understands the concerns raised that the proposed cuts announced by the SFRS are as a result of funding pressures; believes that the SFRS must be adequately funded to ensure the health and safety of firefighters and the public; notes the calls for the Scottish Government to review the funding arrangements for the SFRS; supports the Fire Brigades Union Scotland's #CutsLeaveScars campaign, and notes the calls for the SFRS' decision regarding the reported £11 million in cuts for 2023-24 to be reversed and funding to fire stations increased, to ensure a safe and effective fire and rescue response.
Supported by:
Neil Bibby, Maggie Chapman, Katy Clark, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Pauline McNeill, Paul O'Kane, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney