Dozens of fire jobs face axe amid cuts

If the schemes are successful, the fire service could cut between 70 and 80 posts. During the trials, staff will be required to work more shifts at a flat, unpensionable pay rate to ensure enough people are on duty. If either trial model – with the other seeing watches merged to provide a pool of staff – is successful and then implemented it could save more than £3m each year.

The 10 potential stations to take part in the trials include Wolverhampton, Tipton, Haden Cross, Tettenhall and Bickenhill and Wednesbury.

The brigade currently runs 38 fire stations and has 1,322 firefighters, as well as 58 technical rescue staff and 61 fire safety staff.

A report which goes before West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority on Monday outlines the financial problems facing the service.

It states that there were government grant reductions of £21m from 2011 to 2015 and a further £6m is being reduced in 2015/16.

It is estimated there will then be a £14m reduction between 2016 and 2019.

The report says: "The service, while committed to making further back office savings, needs to focus upon front line efficiencies in order to meet these funding reduction challenges."

To save money one trial proposes the merging of watches.

The other suggests a rethink of the staff to crew ratio.

The report adds: "To maintain optimum crewing levels both staffing models will require the use of additional shifts to achieve minimum staffing requirements and cover for unplanned absence.

"It is proposed that these additional shifts will be recompensed at a flat rate of pay and will not be pensionable."

If watches are merged it could save £3.8m, while if staff ratios are changed at each station it could save £3.4m. People having to work extra shifts at each trial location would cost the service £600,000.

The trials are due to start this month.