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FIREFIGHTERS have accused Scottish Community Safety minister Siobhan Brown of “living in a parallel universe,” after she denied a cash crisis in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
In answer to a parliamentary question, Ms Brown told Labour’s Pauline McNeill that “there is no budget crisis” at SFRS, despite service plans to axe 10 fire engines and save £36 million over the next four years.
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scottish secretary John McKenzie said: “Siobhian Brown appears to be living in a parallel universe.
“Communities across Scotland are seeing fire appliances withdrawn and firefighter jobs lost.
“This means there will be fewer resources to respond to fires and major incidents when they occur.
“The reality is the SFRS will be decimated if we continue to see this pattern of real-terms cuts continue.”
Mr McKenzie said that rather than deny there is a crisis, he would urge Ms Brown to “get speaking” to Finance Secretary Shona Robison and to “secure a better financial deal” for the service in the coming budget so that “we can reverse the cuts and keep our communities safe.”
