MP Meets Falmouth Firefighters

2.14.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Apr 2007

Falmouth and Camborne MP, Julia Goldsworthy has met with fire fighters based at Falmouth Fire Station to discuss the proposals to reduce night time cover in the area.

At the meeting, Ms Goldsworthy explained that she had made a submission to the County Council's consultation, in which she highlighted her concerns about the impact that the proposals could have on public safety. Many of the fire fighters also expressed their views and in particular raised their concern that the proposals could have a detrimental impact on response times, particularly when it comes to attending incidents requiring specialist equipment outside of the immediate Falmouth area.

Commenting after the meeting, Julia Goldsworthy MP said:

"It was good to discuss the proposals with the fire fighters in Falmouth. It is these people who work on the frontline and it is important that their concerns are listened to before any final decisions are made.

"Inadequate funding from the central Government has meant that the County Council has been forced to produce proposals that put issues of cost over and above the more important matter of public safety. The Government must explain how it expects the County Council to deliver the public services we deserve, whilst it continues to squeeze the funding that Cornwall receives.

"It is clear that unless the Government steps in and provides Cornwall with the funding it needs, unacceptable cuts to services are going to have to be made. I am hoping to secure a Parliamentary debate on this matter at the earliest opportunity and have written to Ministers outlining my concerns."

Ms Goldsworthy's meeting followed a series of meetings that she has had with fire fighters across the constituency and representatives from the Fire Brigade Union.