Safer Hertfordshire Campaign

Safer Hertfordshire Campaign

Eight firefighters died performing their duty in 2007, the worst year for firefighter deaths in 30 years. 13 firefighters were killed at fires   between 2003 and 2007, three of them in Hertfordshire. However, for almost seven years prior to that period there were no firefighter deaths at fires.

In the last 20 years of the last century, the trend in firefighter fatalities was down.  Then the number of deaths started to rise sharply.

We believe this is due to a lack of training, a lack of risk assessment and a lack of frontline firefighters all due to a lack of investment in the fire service.

The lessons of previous tragedies must be learned, if they are not to be repeated.

The Fire Brigades Union has published a report, In the Line of Duty, to identify the ways we can improve firefighters' safety. We ask that you read this document as a matter of urgency.

The Government is wasting literally billions of pounds of tax payers’ money closing control rooms across the country in a project that is vastly over budget, five years overdue, is not wanted by anyone within the fire service and will not save a single life or a single penny.

This money could be used to provide the personnel, training, equipment and support to allow the fire and rescue service to grow into its new roles in urban search and rescue, flood relief, the threat of terrorism and dealing with the unacceptable levels of road accidents in our county. We need a service with the full capability to address these real threats to our community.

Hertfordshire firefighters believe that there is a sound case for reinvestment in the fire service and we have compiled a number of documents, films and other forms of evidence that we believe firmly supports our case.

Today we call on politicians to meet with us to discuss our concerns and to give their reassurance to the people of Hertfordshire that our fire service is one we can continue to rely upon when disaster strikes.

We request that all and every media organisation in the County listen to our case and portray it for what it is – the truth.

We call upon the people of Hertfordshire to take an interest in the funding of public services such as our fire service and consider whether we are worth the £30 per year that we cost you. If you think we are, then please pledge your support and lobby your local politicians to meet with us to discuss our concerns.

In return for your support, professional firefighters and control room staff give their pledge that they will do their very best to continue to provide the excellent fire and rescue service that the people of Herttfordshire deserve.

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