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Number of Llanelli firefighters to be cut from 28 to 13 Llanelli firefighter numbers could be cut from 28 to 13
(40 minutes later)
The number of firefighters in Llanelli is to be more than halved, and campaigners say lives could be at risk. The number of firefighters in Llanelli could be more than halved, leading to protests that lives could be at risk.
Mid and West Wales Fire Authority has agreed to press ahead with controversial changes, which will see 28 firefighters reduced to 13. Mid and West Wales Fire Authority has agreed to look at the controversial changes, which could see 28 firefighters reduced to 13.
The authority has decided to change the shift system at the town's station, and senior officers deny this will stretch resources and put lives at risk. The authority could change the shift system at the town's station, but senior officers deny this will stretch resources and put lives at risk.
Opponents staged a protest outside County Hall in Carmarthen on Monday. Opponents protested outside County Hall in Carmarthen on Monday.
They claimed that firefighters would be tired from working longer hours. They claimed that firefighters would be tired from working longer hours, and this could put lives at risk.
'No reduction''No reduction'
Speaking before the fire authority meeting Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said: "We want every member of the fire authority to examine their consciences and scrutinise any proposals very carefully. The fire authority will look at an option to more than halve the number of staff and change the way they work.
"We are absolutely determined that there should be no reduction in service at Llanelli fire station." But this is only on the proviso that there is more consultation and scrutiny with trade unions and with firefighters working on the ground.
Service chiefs say the move is about meeting the needs of the local population and would not mean a cutback. At the moment in Llanelli, there are 28 firefighters with only five on duty at any one time and the plan is to keep the same number on any one shift, but to reduce the overall number to 13.
Chief fire officer Richard Smith said beforehand that whatever the authority decided, present service levels would be maintained. That would rely on firefighters working more flexible shifts and agreeing to be on call for stand-by duty at night as well.
"There will be no cutback in the number of firefighters on duty, no cutback in the number of fire engines available to respond to incidents, no reduction in the response times of those fire engines and no reduction in the level of safety services provided by the firefighters from the fire station," he said. BBC Wales Today's Abigail Neal was in Carmarthen where the fire authority met.
Petition
She said: "Fire chiefs have got what they wanted, that approval to look into plans to more than halve the number of staff and change the way they work."
She added: They've just agreed to look at this to change the way the crewing system works, because the fire authority says it needs to save money and there are more efficient ways of paying staff.
"At the moment we have no details as to how it would actually work in practice."
The objectors' main concern is that lives could be put at risk, and they claim the 28 firefighters currently on duty in Llanelli are needed.
Over 6,000 people have signed a petition.
Meanwhile, Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said opponents were "absolutely determined that there should be no reduction in service at Llanelli fire station".
But chief fire officer Richard Smith said beforehand that whatever the authority decided, present service levels would be maintained.
In June, campaigners staged a protest march and rally against the proposed cuts at Llanelli and in August handed a petition to the chief fire officer.In June, campaigners staged a protest march and rally against the proposed cuts at Llanelli and in August handed a petition to the chief fire officer.
In July, Mid and West Wales Fire Service was criticised over plans to switch 21 full-time firefighters in Powys to community safety work, replacing them on emergency duties with volunteer crews.In July, Mid and West Wales Fire Service was criticised over plans to switch 21 full-time firefighters in Powys to community safety work, replacing them on emergency duties with volunteer crews.
Last week the North Wales Fire Authority approved plans to cut up to 36 firefighter jobs by changing rotas in an attempt to save £1m by spring 2013.Last week the North Wales Fire Authority approved plans to cut up to 36 firefighter jobs by changing rotas in an attempt to save £1m by spring 2013.