There was a huge turnout as Scottish Fire & Rescue Service bosses put the options to cut services in the area to local people on Monday (1st Sept).

More than 100 locals were at Lochgelly Centre from right across the area served by Lochgelly Fire Station, with the service outlining why atleast one appliance needs to be cut here, resulting in a “moderate” increase in response times they say.

A number of concerns were raised during the meeting over the lack of transparency in the data being used to make decisions on these cuts, with the Community Risk Index Model (CRIM) apparently indicating the changes in Fife can be accomodated without significant risk to the public or to properties. The CRIM is not available for the public to scrutinise.

At one point in the meeting, SFRS bosses seemed to indicate, in response to a direct question about gaps in the response map presented, that response times to incidents in Ballingry and Lochore were faster from Dunfermline fire station (15.6miles away) than Lochgelly fire station (3.4miles away) (area shaded orange on the map).

Jamie McDonald, an FBU rep and Lochgelly firefighter, said he felt the service had now heard “loud and clear” that the public will not accept these cuts and that the funding needs to be found to keep our fire service going.

Reaction

The overall feeling in the room was one of frustration and anger, as local residents and politicians collectively criticised the plans. There were valiant efforts made by SFRS to ensure everyone had a voice, with the meeting split into smaller discussion groups for around 40 minutes, capturing the views of local residents on both options presented and their impacts, to help feed into the overall consultation.

But it was clear that the overwhelming majority of people in the room opposed these cuts to Lochgelly Fire Station and stood shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure their message was heard.

There was also some rare political unity, with elected representatives of all colours standing against the cuts proposed. Cowdenbeath MSP, Annabelle Ewing (SNP), said the whole consultation was at risk of being a “sham” if, in the end, local people rejected the options but the cuts still went ahead anyway, and that people will feel “less safe”.

Meanwhile, Richard Baker MP (Lab), said that he felt it wasn’t clear from the consultation that the status quo was an option for Lochgelly, and that it seems to be presented as either cut or cut!

Local councillors had their say too, as Area Committee Convener, Cllr Alex Campbell (Lab) labelled the presentation “misleading” and said he felt the service were wrong in their assertion that more houses being built in the community did not necessarily pose more risk of fire.

Speaking after the event, Cowdenbeath councillor Darren Watt (Con) said he felt there was “nothing” in the presentation to reassure people in the area who are concerned about the impact of these cuts.

Also attending was Cllr Kathleen Leslie (Con) whose constituency borders with the huge Mossmorran plant. She said she felt people in nearby Auchtertool are “very concerned” about these proposals and that funding must be found to ensure the current levels of fire cover remain in place.

Background

Plans are being consulted on two options which would both see the reduction of 25 firefighters and one appliance from Lochgelly, with the fire engine being repositioned to Methil or Glenrothes stations. A decision on the removal of Lochgelly’s specialist rope rescue unit, one of only 4 in Scotland, will be taken separately from this consultation.

SFRS officials were at pains not to mention the F-word (Finances) during the 2-hour discussion, instead explaining why Lochgelly’s number of incidents and call-outs each year was more akin to a one-pump station, instead of the current two appliances (plus the specialist unit). Each pump has around 25 staff and this costs nearly £1.1m a year to maintain in a wholetime fire station.

In literature handed out at the Lochgelly meeting, SFRS say they face an estimated £800m bill to bring buildings, fleet and equipment across the service up to required standards. 14 fire stations have been confirmed as being affected by RAAC concrete issues.

Radio Cowdenbeath support the local community in opposing these fire service cuts, which could put lives at risk in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area.

What Can You Do?

1. The official SFRS Consultation is open until 16th September, so take 5 minutes and complete the questionnaire to ensure your views are heard.

Complete the questionnaire here.

2. You can share the link to the consultation with atleast 2 friends and make sure they complete it by 16th September!

3. You can also sign the petition to save the jobs and appliances at risk of being lost in Lochgelly here.

4. You can follow the Fire Brigade Union East of Scotland branch and the Save Lochgelly’s Fire Engine page on Facebook and share their content to help spread the word to help oppose these cuts to our vital fire service in Scotland.

5. You can also write to your local politicians to increase pressure on Government Ministers to intervene to block these cuts and provide the funding necessary to keep the fire service resourced effectively. Their details are:

Annabelle Ewing MSP – E: annabelle.ewing.msp@parliament.scot

Alex Rowley MSP – E: Alex.Rowley.msp@parliament.scot

Claire Baker MSP – E: claire.baker.msp@parliament.scot

Liz Smith MSP – E: Elizabeth.Smith.msp@parliament.scot

Murdo Fraser MSP – E: Murdo.Fraser.msp@parliament.scot

Mark Ruskell MSP – E: Mark.Ruskell.msp@parliament.scot

Alexander Stewart MSP – E: Alexander.Stewart.msp@parliament.scot

Roz McCall MSP – E: Roz.McCall.msp@parliament.scot

Melanie Ward MP – E: melanie.ward.mp@parliament.uk

Richard Baker MP – E: richard.baker.mp@parliament.uk