Cuts to fire services ‘gone too far’ warn unions as numbers now down by 25%

of our workforce, including operational staff – however it is also of note that we are responding to approximately half of the number of incidents that we did 10 years ago,” he said.

“This in large part is down to the prevention and protection work that we undertake to make West Yorkshire safer. In terms of accidental fire deaths in West Yorkshire we continue to see a downward trend in numbers with the year 2016-17 being the lowest year recorded since 2012-13, although in contrast the year 2015-16 was particularly high.”

Clr Judith Hughes, chairman of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority and Almondbury Labour councillor, confirmed further cuts would have to be made, despite the budget being slashed by 45% over seven years.

She said the The Association of Metropolitan Fire and Rescue Authorities would continue to lobby Government for an increase in funding.

Clr Hughes said: “Our firefighters are professional and dedicated men and women who risk their lives every day but they have had their pay frozen for the last seven years.

“It’s now time the Government remove their 1% cap on pay and restore it to the same levels as 2010.

“Unfortunately it has taken the tragic events in London to highlight the work of the Fire Service.”

Earlier this year the fire service launched a recruitment campaign for over 100-plus jobs - the first in eight years.