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Llanelli firefighter numbers could be cut from 28 to 13 Llanelli firefighter numbers could be cut
(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 cut, which has led 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, but no decisions have yet been taken.
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. Chief fire officer Richard Smith said there had been a misconception that numbers in the Carmarthenshire town could fall from 28 to 13.
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. The fire authority will look at an option to reduce the number of staff and change the way they work, but only on the proviso that there is more consultation and scrutiny with trade unions and with firefighters working on the ground.
'No reduction' At the moment in Llanelli, there are 28 firefighters with five on duty at any one time.
The fire authority will look at one option to more than halve the number of staff and change the way they work. Under the fire authority proposals, a reduced number of firefighters could be expected to work more flexible shifts and be on call for stand-by duty at night as well.
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 Mr Smith said firefighter numbers at Llanelli would not fall from 28 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. He said: "The number 13 has come from a crewing system that we introduced at another fire station at Pontardawe.
That would rely on firefighters working more flexible shifts and agreeing to be on call for stand-by duty at night as well. "I think there's been a misconception with the public that we were intending to just implement those plans at Llanelli.
BBC Wales Today's Abigail Neal was in Carmarthen where the fire authority met. "Quite clearly Llanelli is a different area to Pontardawe. We need to ensure the crewing arrangements reflect the risk of the area as well."
Petition 'Explore option'
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." Objectors are concerned that lives could be put at risk, and they claim the 28 firefighters currently on duty in Llanelli are needed.
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. More than 6,000 people have signed a petition.
"At the moment we have no details as to how it would actually work in practice." Mr Smith said he understood concerns and it was never the intention to implement a system without fully consulting the staff.
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. He said: "What we're not saying is that we're going to halve the number of staff.
Over 6,000 people have signed a petition. "What we're saying is that we're going to explore options to make a more effective and efficient use of the staff that we've got."
Meanwhile, Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said opponents were "absolutely determined that there should be no reduction in service at Llanelli fire station". He added: "What I can guarantee the residents of Llanelli that there will be no changes at all to the service that is delivered from that fire station.
But chief fire officer Richard Smith said beforehand that whatever the authority decided, present service levels would be maintained. "There will be no changes to the fire engines available. There will be no changes to the amount of firefighters there to crew the fire engines, and there will be no changes to the 24-hour cover arrangements as well."
Mr Smith said the fire service was not "immune from the financial situation that is affecting the whole of the public sector".
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.