Reassurance as Skegness firefighters set to lose high rise rescue equipment

High rise rescue equipment could be removed from Skgness as part of reorganisation being proposed by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue - but the service is urging residents not to worry.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Mar 2016, 07:00 BST
Shining examples of firefighters at Skegness Fire Station. Pictured arecrew manager Daniel Vines, firefighter Richard Brown and firefighter Gemma Moore. ANL-160321-095832001Shining examples of firefighters at Skegness Fire Station. Pictured arecrew manager Daniel Vines, firefighter Richard Brown and firefighter Gemma Moore. ANL-160321-095832001
Shining examples of firefighters at Skegness Fire Station. Pictured arecrew manager Daniel Vines, firefighter Richard Brown and firefighter Gemma Moore. ANL-160321-095832001

The move comes as part of the Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), which includes the downgrading of the Lincoln South station.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is keen to point out the Skegness station is not being downgraded. A spokesman said: “Since the last IRMP last year, we have increased the number of fire station which provide a co-responder service – including Skegness.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, concerns have been expressed from the Fire Bridage Union about the aerial ladder platform based at Skegness being moved to Boston, leaving the holiday resort without any high rise rescue equipment.

Most Popular

Mick Green, deputy chief fire officer at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, commented: “Based on a thorough analysis of incident statistics and data, we are proposing to permanently locate the Ariel Ladder Platform (ALP) in Boston. In the period when it was located at Skegness and Boston, the ALP was used at 112 incidents – with similar numbers in both locations. We believe that by basing the equipment in Boston, we can provide more equal and improved geographical cover across the county.”

Mr Green says he would welcome any comments from the public. He said: “As we are within the 11-week consultation period, we would welcome people’s feedback on how we deliver our service.”

Meanwhile the FBU remains concerned about the proposed cuts to services in the county. Ben Selby, FBU chair in Lincolnshire, said: “The suggestion that our service needs to be cut back further because of the declining number of fires is dangerous and misleading.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Firefighters are responding to a greater array of emergencies in Lincolnshire such as flooding and medical rescues.”

He added: “These proposals will leave a trail of devastation for public safety in our county.”

To comment on the Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service visit www.lincoln
shire.gov.uk/lfr

l Skegness firefighters were busy again at the weekend raising funds for the Fire Fighters Charity. Their efforts added to the £137.29 raised the previous Saturday.

Read more:

Firefighters to work up a sweat cleaning cars for charity

Related topics:Boston