Public meeting to discuss fire service cuts in Hounslow

Chiswick Fire Station

Last week I attended the The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority public consultation in Ealing Town Hall about the effect of planned cuts on Ealing and Hounslow.  This is part of a London-wide consultation on the Draft Fifth London Safety Plan which is out for public consultation running from the beginning of March until 26th May, This includes proposals to close 12 fire stations, cut 18 fire engines and lose 520 firefighters.

We were told by James Cleverley, the Conservative London Assembly Member who Chairs the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, that the proposals are in response to the Government cuts to the GLA budget, and he hoped that the changes would mean no more closures.  Under the proposals, they say they aim to retain the London-wide target attendance target of getting a first fire engine to an emergency within an average six minutes and the second fire engine, if needed, within eight minutes.

The proposed changes locally are: the loss of an appliance at Hayes, despite its proximity to Heathrow; an additional appliance at Twickenham, and the loss of 2 fire officers per watch, ie 8, at Heston (Isleworth) station.  I asked about an earlier suggestion that Chiswick Fire Station could close, that was later retracted, and was told that closing Chiswick had never been their intention (though I'm sure I didn't imagine seeing it in writing!).  

Residents present at the meeting were concerned about the reduction of fire cover across London at a time when population density is  rising, especially in Brentford.  We were told there is no correlation between population density and incidents. Fire service data shows that despite London 's growth of 1m people in the last 10 years there has been a falling off of incidents.

However the service does admit that there is a correlation between deprivation and numbers of incidents, which suggests that as poverty in London continues to rise, pressure on fire services is going to rise.  

Labour Assembly Navin Shah was concerned about the rising tide of "beds in sheds" and the additional fire hazards they present.  I also pointed out that Eric Pickles' changes to planning law will mean that office blocks can be converted to housing, without adequate standards, and could lead to unregulated and dangerous flop-houses presenting a host of risks.  Rita Dexter the Deputy Commissioner, admitted this could be a risk, and was not aware until I told her, that Pickle's changes announced last week will be implemented at the end of this month - she was assuming there'd be some consultation and was clearly concerned.  

Having now looked at the small print of the consultation, I think residents of Brentford and Hounslow West wards in particular should be concerned that these areas are way off the 6-8 minute target.  Current  and projected response times are over nine minutes in Brentford and ten in Heston West.  Needless to say I am angry that yet another public service, which should be growing to adapt to London's needs, is being cut back, and Londoners will pay the price.