Folkestone Town Council Slam Fire Service Cuts

Folkestone Town Council last night strongly backed a call to oppose cuts at Folkestone Fire station, raise awareness of those proposed cuts and encourage as many people as possible to take part in the public consultation on those cuts.

The Council heard representatives of Kent Fire and Rescue outline their plan to save £834,000 a year through removing from Folkestone Fire Station one manned pump, 24 full-time fire-fighters, and relocating the high rescue ladder to Ashford. The Council heard that the cost of not making this cut would be roughly an additional £1.20 a YEAR for a Band D Council Tax payer.

Representative from the Fire Brigade Union including a serving fire-fighter from Folkestone Fire station also make presentations to the Council, opposing the move.

A resolution moved by Lib Dem Councillor Tim Prater was passed by 17 votes with none against and one abstention, and reads:

This Council notes:

a. The vital contribution that the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, based at Folkestone Fire Station, have made to the safety of Folkestone, and the surrounding area, especially demonstrated in the recent earthquake aftermath and flooding

b. Folkestone Fire Station is the nearest major fire station to the Channel Tunnel, which has already experienced two major fire incidents since its opening.

The Council understands:

a. That Kent Fire and Rescue is proposing to reduce the resources at Folkestone Fire Station by one manned pump, 24 full-time fire-fighters, and relocating the high rescue ladder to Ashford

b. That there is currently a consultation on these proposals on-line at www.kent.fire-uk.org or available by post by calling 01622 698453

c. That the proposals will increase overall response times in Folkestone, and increase the risk to life.

This Council is opposed to any proposed cuts at Folkestone Fire Station.

This Council resolves to fight to stop any reduction in fire-fighters and equipment at the Folkestone Fire Station by:

a. Lobbying the Kent Fire Authority and Kent County Council before the end of the formal public consultation process, by writing to the Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Chair and all members of the Fire Authority to make clear this Council's opposition to the cuts

b. Promoting through the press, the Folkestone Town Council web site and all means reasonably practical (as sanctioned by the Mayor) our opposition to the proposed cuts, raise awareness of the proposed cuts and to encourage as many local residents as possible to take part in the consultation process.