Roz McCall MSP has expressed her concern at the lack of equipment, support and funding for firefighters in Dunfermline.
This follows Ms McCall’s visit to Dunfermline fire station on the 12th of May, where she met with firefighters, Group Commander Alistair Jupp and Area Commander Kenny Barbour. At this visit, the firefighters shared their concerns that their kit is no longer fit for purpose, and they are unable to replace it due to centralised funding for equipment, provisions for mental health services are poor, and their budget is decreasing despite their responsibilities increasing.
Roz McCall MSP, has today, taken this issue directly to the Scottish Government, by writing to the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, in which she relayed her concern at the worrying situation in Scotland’s fire and rescue service. Ms McCall has pressed the Minister to take immediate action to ensure that the safety of our firefighters is safeguarded.
Roz McCall MSP further emphasised that to expect firefighters to run into burning buildings, without the basic essentials such as the correct and appropriate equipment is unacceptable. Ms McCall also conveyed the need for urgent investment in the Scottish fire and rescue service in order to prevent closures and ensure that firefighters can access mental health services.
Roz McCall has said that she is outraged at the situation in which firefighters find themselves and puts the blame squarely on the Scottish Government and the Minister for Victims and Community Safety.
Roz McCall MSP said:
“The situation that firefighters in Dunfermline, and Scotland as a whole, find themselves in is completely unacceptable”.
“Firefighters run into burning buildings to protect us, yet they are not being protected with the basic essentials that they need to do their job”.
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“I have therefore written to the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, urging them to take immediate action to protect our firefighters, provide them with the equipment and mental health support they need and prevent closures of fire stations”.
Roz McCall MSPs letter to Minister Siobhan Brown can be found attached:
https://outlook.office.com/c215722f-1bb4-4843-b66b-d3245d43ed89
