Fire Authority rejects Experienced Firefighter for living 20seconds too far from Ascot Fire Station (Windsor Liberal Democrats)

Windsor Liberal Democrats <info@windsorlibdems.org.uk>

Fire Authority rejects Experienced Firefighter for living 20seconds too far from Ascot Fire Station

September 1, 2010 3:34 PM

The Conservative controlled Berkshire Fire Authority seems determined to cut Fire Services in our area with Windsor set to close at night, Cookham already shut and Ascot under threat.

Experienced former Cornish Firefighter, Malcolm Dyer, a firefighter of 29 years' experience, claims he was turned down from joining the Ascot Fire Crew because the journey from his present home in Sunninghill Road to Ascot Fire station in Station Hill is 20 seconds too far.

All retained - part-time - firefighters must live within three minutes of their fire station.

Local Lib Dems are astonished at the actions of the Conservative dominated Fire Authority. Last year RBFRS announced plans to close Windsor Fire Station at night as part of a restructuring of the Berkshire service, whilst the retained Fire Station at Cookham has been closed due to lack of staff.

The Lib Dems are calling for the decision to be reviewed - it is clear that without retained Fire Crews the Fire Service's ability to deal with major incidents like the Windsor Castle Fire, is severely compromised.