THE Fire Brigades Union has demanded to see long-term strategic investment in the service, whether Dorset and Wiltshire services merge or not.

A joint bid between Dorset and Wiltshire for government funding has been successful, with £5.54m set aside should the two services agree to combine.

But firefighters in Dorset and Wiltshire have declared they will not pay for service cuts with their jobs, or at the risk of the safety of firefighters and the public.

A consultation process, being run separately by the fire authorities in Dorset and Wiltshire, opened in July and foremost among a number of options was a merger of the two services.

The plan has been made in response to funding cuts which have left both fire services on the brink of what some officers say is “insolvency”.

But this week Karen Adams, FBU brigade secretary in Dorset, said: “Enough is enough. No matter the outcome of the consultation we are demanding long term, strategic investment in our service.

“The public deserve a properly financed, locally accountable fire and rescue service – no matter which name it bears.

“These are desperate times for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service. Funding cuts are already having a serious impact, 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.

Brent Thorley, FBU brigade secretary in Wiltshire, demanded that politicians listen to the view of professional firefighters, saying: “The only reason that this consultation is taking place is because of massive funding cuts in Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“Although the majority of these cuts have been driven by central government, decisions taken by local politicians have made the situation even worse.”

Trevor French, FBU regional secretary, said “These cuts will ultimately cost lives, destroy homes and businesses, drive up insurance premiums and damage the environment.

“Politically-driven cuts have created a financial crisis in our service so dangerous that in a recent TV interview the Wiltshire chief fire officer told a reporter that the brigade was in danger of going bust.”

The chairman of Dorset Fire Authority Cllr Rebecca Knox said: “The funding shows a support from Government for the project and the benefits it will bring to both counties.

“The money will allow us to build upon the prevention work we do in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole. This means we can broaden our prevention initiatives into Wiltshire and Swindon through the building of a StreetWise style facility.”

She said: “Both fire authorities will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the consultation findings and whatever decisions are made, it is imperative that we are steered by the views of local people and the staff within the two services.

“I know that Dorset Fire Authority members want to ensure a safe, strong and sustainable fire and rescue service for the counties of Dorset and Wiltshire.”

Outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by Dorset Fire Authority at its meeting on Tuesday. In Wiltshire a review of consultation feedback in Wiltshire plus a decision will be made on November 11.