At the recent Full Council meeting, I directly challenged the Chief Fire Officer of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service about the removal of a fire engine in Beaconsfield, to be replaced with a Crew Welfare Unit. Beaconsfield Town Council had repeatedly made the case through a detailed submission to the Fire Authority consultation that we need increased investment, not reductions. With 158,000 more homes being imposed across the Fire Authority’s jurisdiction, the risks are growing, not shrinking. The Fire Authority’s own data shows that nearly a third of cross border fire engine attendance across the county relates to Beaconsfield, the highest of any station.
I have full admiration for the hardworking firefighters who protect our communities every day, and I am gravely concerned about their capacity to serve when vital equipment is being removed. I am therefore disappointed by the Chief Fire Officer’s response, which also goes directly against Buckinghamshire Council’s position. I will continue to make the case for greater fire engine capacity for Beaconsfield and our county.
I also note that in neighbouring Milton Keynes, which shares our Fire Authority, there are a local council elections in less than three weeks’ time. This may change the political composition of the Fire Authority and, therefore, its decision making. We shall see!
You can here my challenge on my Facebook Page here.
