Residents are being urged to have their say as frontline fire services are at risk of being cut in the midst of savage cuts.
Tonight is the final chance for residents to have their voices heard about how London Fire Brigade (LFB) looks to meet £6.4m of savings.
One proposal set out in LFB’s consultation is to permanently axe 13 fire engines which could mean the removal of one engine at Shoreditch fire station.
An alternative proposal set out by Andrew Dismore AM, chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s Resource Committee, looks to make the savings by changing working patterns and through back office efficiencies.
London Assembly Member for Hackney, Jennette Arnold OBE, believes the removal of fire engines will exacerbate rises in response times.
She said: “I urge residents of Hackney to have their say over changes to their fire service.
“I believe that cutting more fire engines could exacerbate a recent rise in response times across the capital.
“The Mayor’s cuts mean that there are very tough decisions ahead. If you take fire engines out of service then of course response times could rise and lives could be put at risk. Nobody wants to see that happen.”
The public meeting to discuss both proposals and their impact for North East London including Hackney will take place at The Old Town Hall, Stratford at 7pm.
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