Stop the Devon and Somerset fire service cuts

Firefighters marching for fire safety, photo by Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Richard Worth, Torbay and South Devon Socialist Party

Proposals by our fire authority to cut eight fully staffed fire stations and axe 30 fire engines were described by one councillor as "turbo-charging austerity", putting lives at risk.

The cutting of fire stations is part of £8 of million planned cuts to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS), with job losses of more than 40 firefighters.

Frontline services, full-time fire cover and jobs have already been slashed following the combining of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue services into one authority in 2007.

DSFRS has carried out £12.2 million in cuts in the last five years. But due to a lack of funding from central government, a further estimated £8.4 million of cuts are to be found in the next three years. These latest proposals would see the biggest, most devastating cuts ever.

Firefighters have not had a pay rise and the retention and recruitment of firefighters has become difficult, leading to an already understaffed fire service.

James Leslie of Devon and Somerset Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said that "these proposals represent the biggest cuts to front-line services anywhere in the country" and [we] "will not tolerate these dangerous plans and we plan to mobilise against them."

Trade union councils in Exeter and Torbay have pledged support to the FBU, and the Socialist Party will support action including strikes by the FBU, and help rally people against these cuts.

On 13 July, Socialist Party members ran a stall in Newton Abbot against the cuts to the fire service and the NHS. The response from people was overwhelming.

A retired firefighter pointed out how a fire engine can only be in one place at any one time. With an increasing population due to many new homes being built, the services should be increased, not cut.

Many people showed outrage at the planned cuts and voiced their full support to their valued firefighters.

We sold 24 copies of the Socialist and received many donations to help support the work of the Socialist Party in its fight against all cuts to public services.

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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.