Safety concerns as fire crews cover Aberdeen

Dundee’s firefighters being sent to make up the numbers further north

A Dundee councillor has demanded assurances that city residents are not being put at risk because firefighters are being drafted in to provide cover in Aberdeen.

Firefighters from Dundee and Inverness have been paid overtime to provide cover in the Granite City, which has long suffered with a shortage of firefighters.

At several points this year, appliances have had to be taken off the road in Aberdeen because there is nobody available to man them.

Appliances from Dundee are also being sent to provide additional cover when necessary.

Dundee currently has five teams of full-time firefighters providing cover on a 24-hour basis. The city has 24 operational fire and rescue service vehicles, including eight fire appliances.

The most recent incident occurred on Sunday night.

A retired Aberdeen firefighter said: “On Sunday, an engine had to come from Dundee to make up the numbers, and that left Dundee short.

“Bosses are offering firefighters in Dundee and Inverness overtime, paid from the time they leave to when they get back.

“Inverness firefighters are being paid this rate and put up in a hotel, and they are being provided with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service cars, so really they can be paid up to 18 hours for a single shift. It doesn’t seem like a logical use of money.”

It is understood firefighters are being paid around £280 per shift and also have hotel accommodation covered by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Scottish Fire and Rescue had previously denied any impact on cover in Dundee when the issue was raised at the city council’s policy and resources committee.

Lochee Labour councillor Michael Marra said: “There is a long-term problem in Aberdeen and, obviously, if these are impacting on Dundee then that is a big concern.

“Dundee Labour councillors have previously sought and been given reassurances that the troubles in Aberdeen would not impact on our city.

“Those assurances now appear to have counted for nothing.”

Documents leaked last year revealed the Scottish Fire and Service was considering drastically reducing the number of personnel and stations due to financial concerns.

SFRS deputy assistant chief officer for the north of Scotland, David Farries, said cover was necessary because of short-term and unplanned leave.

He added: “As a service, we continuously review and plan the resources required on our front line.

“A single fire appliance was therefore mobilised on Sunday from Dundee to the city of Aberdeen. We are committed to balancing front line delivery. This was a pragmatic approach and sensible resource planning.”

“There is a long-term problem in Aberdeen and, obviously, if these are impacting on Dundee then that is a big concern. COUNCILLOR MICHAEL MARRA

The most recent incident was on Sunday night when an engine was sent from Dundee to Aberdeen.