A VOTE on proposals to send Merseyside firefighters to incidents in crews of three on a fire engine has been postponed following a protest in opposition to the policy described as "dangerous" by union bosses.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says that a minimum number of five firefighters is needed to respond to incidents safely and professionally.

FBU representatives, including general secretary Matt Wrack, attended a meeting of Merseyside Fire Authority, voicing opposition to crews of three as well as the Community Risk Management Plan outlining the removal of watch managers from fire engines and reintroducing downgraded ‘small fires units’, which the union argues will put firefighters at greater risk.

The fire authority has said that proposals will be discussed at the next fire authority meeting, which will take place on a date after the general election.

Ian Hibbert, Merseyside FBU brigade secretary, said: "Merseyside firefighters are proud to stand for public and firefighter safety. By rallying outside the fire authority meeting today, we made the strength of our commitment clear.

"Saving lives and homes is our priority, and we will fight against any downgrading of our service.

"If the fire authority brings this to a vote again, we will mobilise in even greater numbers to ensure this policy does not pass."

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said: “Firefighters everywhere will welcome Merseyside fire authority’s decision not to vote on this dangerous policy today.

“The safe and professional standard is five firefighters to an engine. Sending crews of three to an incident puts lives on the line.

“Merseyside firefighters rallied together today, making it loud and clear that they will not accept this threat to firefighter and public safety. Instead of risking lives by cutting corners, we need urgent investment in our fire services.

“The Labour Party has committed to national professional standards across the UK, and the Fire Brigades Union will fight to ensure that no fire service faces this threat again.”

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service has been approached for comment on the postponement of voting.

Commenting on the proposal ahead of yesterday's meeting a spokesperson for the service told the Globe: "It is misleading to the public to suggest that the Service intends to respond to house fires and other such life risk incidents with three firefighters.

"This is absolutely not the case – our plan clearly states that we will not send frontline fire engines with three firefighters to life risk incidents.

"It goes on to say our response model will remain as previously detailed in our 2021/24 Integrated Risk Management Plan.

"We have been clear throughout the consultation process however, that should a firefighter become unavailable due to last minute sickness or emergency leave we will keep that fire engine available for low level incidents - redefining it as a small incident unit until we have moved/detached staff into the station to enable it to be deployed to life risk incidents again.

"What we are proposing actually protects our 'life risk' response because it avoids sending a frontline fire engine with four or five firefighters from a neighbouring area to deal with a low-level incident such as a person locked out or to gain entry for the ambulance service - which would leave two station areas without a frontline fire engine with which to respond should a life risk incident occur.

"This is totally unacceptable and avoidable and despite the Service adjusting its resources accordingly it would undoubtedly lead to a slower response to ‘life risk’ incidents – where seconds can cost lives."