What do you call it when you close 10 fire stations and open eight?

The answer to this question, posed by your editorial on October 14, lies in the glossy “consultation document” produced by West Midlands Fire Authority extolling the resulting benefits of improving response times and an even better service to the community.

The concept of “less is more” has been perfected by the spin and statistics conjured up by management to convince the more gullible fire authority councillors and, more cynically, an unsuspecting public. 

The reality is, of course, that the removal of the likes of Smethwick Fire Station (two fire engines) and its “resources moved across the Sandwell area” is conspicuously lacking within the document. Where are they going?

Similarly, Halesowen and Cradley Heath fire stations, with one fire engine each available 24 hours, will be replaced by one fire station with only one fire engine available with 24-hour availability. Add to this the downgrading of fire cover in Walsall (remember Shannon’s Mill?) to only one fire engine being available throughout the night and the true consequences begin to emerge.

It is an undisputed fact that the emphasis on response times has long slipped down the list of priorities in the drive for “modernisation”. This is further proof of the movement of resources from response into prevention that is becoming a prime concern for public and firefighter safety.

The effect these proposals will have on the Black Country are compounded by the very real possibility of the imminent closure of Sedgley fire station. Unbelievably and quite scandalously, this further set of proposals has been launched without the inclusion of the Sedgley fire engine, even though that consultation exercise has yet to be completed. 

So much for transparency and faith in their consultation process. Yet this is the process the public must use to register their views. 

Many councillors and MPs have already expressed their opposition to the plans and the FBU will continue to campaign on behalf of the public and firefighters alike.

Mark Fellows, Brigade Chair, The Fire Brigades Union, West Midlands, Birmingham.