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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Llanelli firefighter numbers could 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 could be more than halved, leading to protests that 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 look at the controversial changes, which could 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 could change the shift system at the town's station, but 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 protested 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, and this could put lives at risk. | They claimed that firefighters would be tired from working longer hours, and this could put lives at risk. |
| 'No reduction' | 'No reduction' |
| The fire authority will look at one option to more than halve the number of staff and change the way they work. | |
| But this is only on the proviso that there is more consultation and scrutiny with trade unions and with firefighters working on the ground. | But this is only on the proviso that there is more consultation and scrutiny with trade unions and with firefighters working on the ground. |
| 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. | 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. |
| That would rely on firefighters working more flexible shifts and agreeing to be on call for stand-by duty at night as well. | That would rely on firefighters working more flexible shifts and agreeing to be on call for stand-by duty at night as well. |
| BBC Wales Today's Abigail Neal was in Carmarthen where the fire authority met. | BBC Wales Today's Abigail Neal was in Carmarthen where the fire authority met. |
| Petition | 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 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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". | 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. | 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. |