Exclusive: Firefighters hit out over changes to frontline crew numbers
Planned changes to frontline fire services have come under attack from firefighters worried about increasing risks.
Firefighters also voiced concerns about their mental health due to staff shortages.
West Midlands Fire Service is implementing ‘risk-based crewing’ across the service in September as a trial ahead of using it permanently in January.
Fire chiefs say the changes will not create more risks to its staff or the public.
But concerns have been raised there will be fewer firefighters working after 10pm.
A Black Country firefighter, who did not want to be named, told the Express & Star: “During night shifts, vulnerability increases, and even though statistics may suggest a low staff requirement, certain incidents may demand more personnel.”
“Staffing reductions and crews being assigned to many other stations are still allowed to happen? This is likely to lead to increased sickness, stress, and depression among the personnel.”
