45 fire engines out of action for four weeks
Forty-five fire engines in the West Midlands could not be used during a four-week period, it has emerged.
Engines were left unused by fire stations during November and December unable to be used in the event of a major emergency, according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
The union, which say there were not enough firefighters to staff engines, say Government cuts had 'made it impossible to deliver a service that keeps the public safe' and warned more job losses could put lives in danger.
The FBU compiled figures for how many fire engines were unavailable between September and December.
Data showed 45 fire engines could not be used between November 14 and December 14.
However, West Midlands Fire Service Deputy Chief Fire Officer Phil Hales said the figures did not take into account engines that were out of action as they were being used on training exercises and helping in other parts of the country, such as in Cumbria during the recent flooding.
The fire service is currently in the midst of one of its busiest times of the year and concerns have been raised about whether the service is equipped to cope with a high number of emergencies.
Around 150 firefighters took to the streets last month to protest at proposals to axe 300 posts and make changes to shift patterns.
Andrew Scattergood, the FBU's West Midlands chairman, said: "The cuts from the Westminster Government have made it impossible to deliver a service which keeps the public safe. It will be absolutely disastrous if more posts go. We will have a rescue service in name only.
"The new staffing system that is being trialled in anticipation of the 300 job losses is already failing. At best it is unsuitable and insufficient, at worst it is dangerous and will cost lives.
"The FBU has warned the new staffing system leaves the service dependant on the goodwill of firefighters to take overtime shifts. This has already resulted in shifts being understaffed and fire engines being left unavailable."
The number of traditional fire engines has reduced at the service, with smaller vehicles manned by three firefighters attending less serious incidents.
Chairman of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority John Edwards, who is also a Sandwell councillor, said the service had been hit hard by cuts.
He said: "Since the start of the last Government to 2015 we have lost 275 firefighters due entirely to Government cuts in spending power. It's not a good situation to be in.
"But our average response team – that is machines reaching people who are in trouble – is four minutes and 42 seconds, which is beating our own target of five minutes."
