Two senior fire officers – not enough! (Jeremy Hilton)

Two senior fire officers – not enough!

October 26, 2011 10:07 AM

Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service does not have enough senior officers to command a major incident such as a repeat of the 2007 floods, says a top Liberal Democrat councillor.

In the past, the county has had three senior officers who could command the brigade during a major crisis. Now Gloucestershire has just two senior operational officers.

Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr. Jeremy Hilton said:

"Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service has failed to appoint a permanent deputy since the current chief was promoted to his role.

"The third officer is now acting up and his post left vacant.

"The minimum number of senior operational fire officers that at brigade should have, who have the competence to manage the whole service during a major emergency is three.

"That gives the service a guaranteed 24-hour a day cover even if one of the individuals is on holiday or ill at a time of crisis.

"To not have enough senior officers to command the service is a dangerous situation to be in. The Tories are putting the county at risk. We no longer have a resilient fire service."

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