THE FIRE Brigades Union has said long term strategic investment is needed as a consultation into the future of the service closes.

The unions in Dorset and in Wiltshire have responded to a public consultation considering a merger of the two fire and rescue services.

The consultation, which has been run separately in the two counties, closes today. It put forward a number of options for the future of the fire service, including a merger of the Dorset and Wiltshire services.

Both unions have responded, calling on politicians to listen and outlining the strain that cuts are putting on staff. They are demanding ‘long term, strategic investment in the service.’ Karen Adams, FBU brigade secretary in Dorset, said these were desperate times for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

She said: “Funding cuts are already having a serious impact on our service, with firefighters expected to work in their own time, and on low pay rates, just to keep fire engines on the run and support community safety events. But enough is enough.

“No matter the outcome of the consultation we are demanding long term, strategic investment in our service. We require, and the public deserve, a properly financed, locally accountable fire and rescue service – no matter which name it bears.”

Trevor French, FBU regional secretary, said that nationally central funding to the fire service had been cut by more than a fifth during this parliament, with further cuts planned for 2015-16. He said: “Our service has suffered unprecedented and dangerous cuts to central funding in the last decade.

“These cuts will ultimately cost lives, destroy homes and businesses, drive up insurance premiums and damage the environment.”

He added: “Now the FBU is putting a marker down: We will not pay for political cuts with our jobs, our service and the safety of firefighters and the public.”