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Protest at fire station downgrade Protest at fire station downgrade
(about 17 hours later)
Firefighters, their families and supporters are set to hold a march and rally in Dundee in protest at plans to downgrade a city fire station. Campaigners opposing plans to downgrade a fire station in Dundee have said they are "extremely buoyed" by the turnout at a protest against the cuts.
Tayside Fire and Rescue bosses are proposing removing the night-time crew at Balmossie. Overnight cover would be provided by part-time firefighters. Tayside Fire and Rescue bosses are proposing removing the night-time crew at Balmossie and providing overnight cover with part-time firefighters.
That would free up an extra day crew for Perth and Fofar. Retired firefighter Eddie Thomson said 500 people attended Saturday's march and rally protesting against the cuts.
Bosses believe the plans would provide a better service across the area, but the Fire Brigades Union does not agree. The fire service said the plans would provide a better service in the area.
The FBU welcomes additional resources for Perth and Fofar, but claims people and businesses in the area which Balmossie serves would be put in danger. It said downgrading Balmossie would free up an extra day crew for Perth and Forfar.
They have been holding public information meetings and collecting signatures for petitions around Monifieth, Broughty Ferry and Barnhill. The Fire Brigades Union has welcomed additional resources for Perth and Forfar, but claimed that people and businesses in the area which Balmossie serves would be put in danger.
Retired firefighter Eddie Thomson is leading the campaign to stop the Balmossie cuts. It has been holding public information meetings and collecting signatures for petitions around Monifieth, Broughty Ferry and Barnhill.
We underestimated the amount of people who would turn up for the march Eddie ThomsonRetired firefighter
Mr Thomson is leading the campaign to stop the Balmossie cuts.
He said: "We know that more people are killed at night and fire deaths are up in Scotland.He said: "We know that more people are killed at night and fire deaths are up in Scotland.
"If this station goes part-time the men will have to drive from their houses to the fire station to get on the fire engine and then go to the fire."If this station goes part-time the men will have to drive from their houses to the fire station to get on the fire engine and then go to the fire.
The whole area is pretty hostile [to the changes], we've had overwhelming support Eddie ThomsonCampaign leader
"It's going to take longer to get a fire engine to their house, or their building or wherever the fire is.""It's going to take longer to get a fire engine to their house, or their building or wherever the fire is."
The march will set off from Balmossie fire station accompanied by the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band. The march set off from Balmossie fire station, accompanied by the Mains of Fintry Pipe Band.
The protesters will walk to St Aidan's Hall in Broughty Ferry for the mass rally. The protesters walked to St Aidan's Hall in Broughty Ferry for the mass rally.
'Best use'
Mr Thomson believes the public is on their side.Mr Thomson believes the public is on their side.
"The whole area is pretty hostile [to the changes], we've had overwhelming support," he said. "We underestimated the amount of people who would turn up for the march, especially with it coming up to Christmas," he said.
"The whole area is pretty hostile [to the changes], we've had overwhelming support.
"We are really hoping that Chief Fire Officer Hunter, in his wisdom, will listen to the firefighters that are fighting the campaign, the fire brigades union and also the local people who are outraged at this attempt to downgrade the fire engine.""We are really hoping that Chief Fire Officer Hunter, in his wisdom, will listen to the firefighters that are fighting the campaign, the fire brigades union and also the local people who are outraged at this attempt to downgrade the fire engine."
Alasdair Hay, deputy chief fire officer, said: "Tayside Fire and Rescue have a proposal out for consultation in relation to the best use of the organisation's resources to drive down risk and provide an appropriate level of operational response to all the communities across Tayside.Alasdair Hay, deputy chief fire officer, said: "Tayside Fire and Rescue have a proposal out for consultation in relation to the best use of the organisation's resources to drive down risk and provide an appropriate level of operational response to all the communities across Tayside.
"We are disappointed by the Fire Brigades Union's response to this proposal but recognise their right, and the wider public's right, to voice their opinion in any manner they deem appropriate.""We are disappointed by the Fire Brigades Union's response to this proposal but recognise their right, and the wider public's right, to voice their opinion in any manner they deem appropriate."