Save Balmossie Rally

On Saturday, more than three hundred fire fighters and supporters gathered at Castle Green to march around the centre of Broughty Ferry and then converge on the St Aidan's Halls for a rally. These events concluded the Fire Brigades' Union campaign to oppose the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station. More than 5000 letters of objection have been gathered in support of retaining two fire and rescue crews and two fire appliances at Balmossie 24x7.

Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dundee East, Katrina Murray said:
"5000 voters can't be wrong! Their overwhelming and united voices are opposed to the dangerous and ill conceived proposal to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station. Councillors on the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board should drop this proposal immediately when they meet next Monday to consider the public response to their fire and rescue strategy, 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11'. Having reprieved Balmossie Fire Station from a 50% cut, they should then agree not to return to this issue again next year."

Labour Ferry Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:
"About half of the 5000+ written letters of objection generated by this campaign have been collected from folk living in my ward. Constituents in 'The Ferry' are very clearly opposed to the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station. They appreciate that if the full time crew on night shift at Balmossie is removed, it would mean that there may be unacceptable delays in getting a fire crew and fire engine to a night time call out. Waiting for retained crew members to get up from their beds at home and make their way to Balmossie will delay this vital emergency service getting to the scene of a fire, road traffic accident or inland flood. This level of response shows that constituents in The Ferry demand the continuation of a 24 x 7 full time crew at their fire station ready to turn out in an instant to protect their lives and property whatever the weather."

Save Your Balmossie Fire Station March and Rally - My Speech

Thank you for asking me to speak at your rally today.

Firstly I want to acknowledge the initiative of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) for alerting the community to the likelihood of Balmossie Fire Station being on the hit list once again. This was well before the launch of the consultation by the Fire & Rescue Board in late November 2009. Once again your members have stepped up to the plate and shown their commitment to maintain our fire and rescue cover as well as protecting their jobs.

Secondly, I want to say how privileged I feel to have stood with your members and supporters in solidarity, and it has to be said in the cold, at the three street campaigning events you held in my constituency, and of course on the march through the Ferry today. From Barnhill Shopping Centre in December to Brook Street, Broughty Ferry and Sainsburys in January.

Thirdly, I have been delighted to provide my support and reflect the views of the overwhelming majority of my constituents. Clearly people in Broughty Ferry appreciate the peace of mind that comes from having a properly resourced Fire and Rescue service to serve their community. It's one of our essential emergency services. Interestingly that must have been in the minds of the former members of the Broughty Ferry Burgh Council, who wisely insisted, nearly a hundred years ago, that one of the conditions for agreeing to the annexation of Broughty Ferry into Dundee was the provision by Dundee Council of a fire station in Broughty Ferry. This was enshrined in the 1913 Act of parliament that led to the inclusion of Broughty Ferry in Dundee. I think that 21st century residents in Broughty Ferry have shown that they have no intention of letting the successor authority, Tayside Fire and Rescue, off the hook.

Finally, I am pleased that there are politicians here today from outside the Ferry and the immediate area served by the fire station. Cynics might say that this is just because a general election is imminent. But I think it indicates very powerfully that it is now recognised that this is a Dundee not just a Broughty Ferry issue. Because if you reduce the number of fire appliances and fire crews based in the city, and Balmossie is based within the city boundary, you reduce the fire and rescue capability of the city as a whole. As well as primarily serving our area here in Broughty Ferry, our fire and rescue crews serve the wider city as 'super subs' when fire and rescue appliances are called out from other fire stations in the city.

So as the campaign comes to end and we await the decision of the Fire & Rescue Board, be assured that my Labour colleagues on the Fire & Rescue Board will continue to vote against any proposal that would downgrade Balmossie.

I think the public of Dundee East have shown that they recognise the vital importance of the Fire and Rescue service in their lives.

Stephen Hunter and the obdurate members of the Fire and Rescue Board should be in no doubt that the Broughty Ferry public, whom I represent, have demonstrated more than conclusively that this is not Save the FBU Balmossie Fire Station but Save OUR Balmossie Fire Station.

So as Obama would have said had he had time to join us today:
Can we save our Balmossie Fire Station? Let's hear it!

Yes we can!

Council Decides to Support Retention of Bamossie Fire Station

Last night's meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee considered Dundee City Council's response to the consultation document 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11'Tayside Fire and Rescue. It is this consultation document that includes the proposal to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station. The Policy & Resources Committee heard two deputations. The first deputation from Neil Ritch, Fire Fighter serving at Balmossie and Jim Malone from the Fire Brigades' Union and the second from Fire Chief Stephen Hunter and Depute Fire Chief Alasdair Hay. After a long series of questions to the deputations, the Committee agreed, without a vote, that their response to the consultation would be: issued by "This Committee supports the document 'Towards a Safer Tayside' with the exception of the proposals for Balmossie Fire Station".

In last nights debate, Fire Chief Stephen Hunter was apparently unable to convince any Dundee Councillor that it was a good idea to downgrade Balmossie and thereby reduce from eight to seven the number of fire crews and fire engines based in the city and that somehow this cut would enhance community safety in Dundee. Just as I predicted, 'it is inconceivable that any City Councillor should support a reduction in this vital emergency service' (reported in the Courier on Monday), there was cross party support last night to indicate emphatically that Dundee City Council does not support the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station. I think the change of heart of some Councillors was undoubtedly because of the mounting evidence of significant public opposition; especially the more than 3000 people who have already registered objections. Unfortunately, Councillor Christina Roberts (SNP Dundee East End) Vice Convener of the Fire and Rescue Board did not indicate last night whether she is now persuaded to change her vote when this issue returns to the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board. I think she should publicly clarify her position.
Fire Station and thereby reduce from eight to seven the number of fire crews and fire engines based in the city and that somehow this cut would enhance community safety in Dundee.

While I think the City Council's decision on Monday night is an important milestone in defeating this ill conceived proposal, I don't want constituents to think that they no longer need to bother responding to the 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11' consultation and registering their views. Until the Fire and Rescue Board decide at their March meeting, after the consultation period closes, we cannot assume that our fire and rescue service at Balmossie is safe from the proposed damaging cutbacks.

Balmossie Fire Station - Response by City Council

On Saturday I met many of my constituents from The Ferry at the Fire Brigades' Union stall outside Sainsbury's Supermarket. Over 400 hundred folk recorded their opposition to the proposal to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station. Taken together with the signatures collected on Saturday 19 December at Campfield Square in Barnhill and Saturday 16 January in Brook Street Broughty Ferry, I think that's more than 1500 electors from The Ferry who have already completed letters of objection.

While most constituents in The Ferry are clearly indicating their opposition to halving the fire service at Balmossie, this has implications for the other parts of Dundee. Withdrawing the full time night time fire crew taken together with withdrawing the day time 'retained' (on call) fire crew and their fire engine from Balmossie will mean there is one less fire and rescue crew and one less fire engine to respond to attend fires, road traffic accidents and floods in Dundee. In fact this will mean that there will be a reduction from eight to seven fire engines and crews stationed in Dundee.

On Monday evening, the Policy and Resources Committee of the Council will consider their response to the Tayside Fire and Rescue's consultation, 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11'. It is this document that contains the ill conceived proposals about Balmossie Fire Station. I shall be bringing forward a motion that the Council's response to the consultation is to indicate their opposition to the downgrading of the fire and rescue services based at Balmossie. It is inconceivable that any City Councillor should support a reduction in this vital emergency service, especially when retaining it will not impose extra costs on council tax payers in Dundee.

Save Your Balmossie Fire Campaign in the Ferry

I enjoyed meeting numerous constituents at the Fire Brigades' Union stalls outside Marks and Spencers and Woolworths in Brook Street Broughty Ferry on Saturday. Over 900 hundred folk defied the miserably
cold weather and recorded their opposition to the proposal to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station. Over 95% of those I talked to were against this proposal. The pressure of public opinion against this unreasonable and ill thought out proposal is mounting. I hope members of the Fire and Rescue Board are receptive to hearing and responding constructively to this level of criticism?

Severe Winter Weather Emphasises Importance of Full Time Night Shift Fire Crew at Balmossie Fire Station

Withdrawing the full time crew on night shift from Balmossie will mean that there may be unacceptable delays in getting a fire crew and fire engine to a night time call out. Waiting for retained crew members to get up from their beds at home and make their way to Balmossie will delay this vital emergency service getting to the scene of a fire, road traffic accident or inland flood. This is especially likely to be the case when there is snow and ice on the roads. I think most constituents in The Ferry find it reassuring that there is a 24 x 7 full time crew at their fire station ready to turn out in an instant to protect their lives and property whatever the weather.

I am pleased that Ken Guild (SNP Ferry Councillor and Leader of the City Council) has seen sense and says he is no longer of the view that Balmossie fire station should be downgraded. It is a pity of course that he didn't do his homework before the Fire and Rescue Board meeting in November. Perhaps this was inexperience in his role as Leader of the City Council or being distracted by the SNP's ambitions for independence? Will Councillor Guild now assure his constituents in the Ferry that his colleague, SNP Councillor Roberts, Vice Convener of the Fire & Rescue Board, will have a have a change of heart when the results of the current consultation are considered by the Fire and Rescue Board in March?

Dundee SNP Councillors on Fire Board need change of heart

“I am pleased that Councillor Ken Guild (SNP Ferry Councillor and Leader of the City Council) has seen sense and says he is no longer of the view that Balmossie fire station should be downgraded. This is all very well but Ken Guild is not a member of the Fire and Rescue Board. It was the votes of his colleagues, Dundee SNP Councillors, which were decisive at the Fire and Rescue Board meeting in November. They voted as a block to include downgrading Balmossie in the current consultation. They also voted as a block to exclude from the consultation document the wider range of statistics that Councillor Guild now says have persuaded him to change his view. Will he now assure his constituents in the Ferry that his SNP colleagues will have a change of heart when the results of the consultation are considered by the Fire and Rescue Board?"

Over 700 sign petition to keep night cover (at Balmossie)

Over 700 sign petition to keep night cover

By Geraldine McKelvie

"OVER 700 people braved the wintry conditions on Saturday to sign a petition against proposed changes to full-time night cover at Balmossie fire station."

Read the full story in the Dundee Courier

Don't Downgrade Balmossie Fire Station

Towards A Safer Tayside 2010/11, the forward plan for Tayside Fire and Rescue, has recently been issued for public consultation. One of the key changes proposed is the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station which serves Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and their landward areas out to Monikie. One of the fire crews and one of the two fire engines currently based at Balmossie will be redeployed to Forfar. The consultation period will close on Monday 8 March 2010.

This morning Katrina Murray, (Prospective Labour Candidate for Dundee East Westminster Constituency), Councillor Brian Gordon and I joined members of the Fire Brigades' Union at Campfield Square shopping Centre in Barnhill where we helped to collect 350 public responses to the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board's consultation.

In a press release:

Katrina Murray said:
"The reasons why its wrong to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station are just as valid this year as they were last year. These proposed cuts will affect the day to day safety of not just the people served by this fire station but all of the folk in Dundee and Carnoustie whose fire and rescue crews will need to cover this loss. I can't think why the four SNP councillors from Dundee, who attended the Fire and Rescue Board on 16 November, voted in favour of reducing fire crews at Balmossie. I encourage voters in the area served by Balmossie fire station to make their voices heard through the consultation. I shall work hard to reverse this ill conceived and dangerous proposal."

Laurie Bidwell said:
“Withdrawing the full time crew on night shift from Balmossie will mean that there may be unacceptable delays in getting a fire crew and fire engine to a night time fire. Waiting for retained crew members to get up from their beds at home and make their way to Balmossie will delay this vital emergency service getting to the scene of a fire, road traffic accident or inland flood. I think most constituents in The Ferry find it reassuring that there is a 24 x 7 full time crew at their fire station ready to turn out in an instant to protect their lives and property.”

Towards A Safer Tayside 2010/11 November 2009 Out for Consultation

Towards A Safer Tayside 2010/11, the forward plan for Tayside Fire and Rescue, has recently been issued for public consultation. Residents in Broughty Ferry should study these carefully. One of the key changes proposed is the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station that serves, Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and their landward areas out to Monikie. One of the fire crews and one of the two fire engines currently based at Balmossie will be redeployed to Forfar. The consultation period lasts until early February. Don't say you haven't been warned. Protest and survive!

View or Download Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11 Consultation November 2009

Fill in the Response Questionnaire online

Request a printed copy of the "Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/11 Consultation November 2009", a comments/response sheet and a reply paid envelope from:

Tayside Fire and Rescue
Fire and Rescue Headquarters
Blackness Road
Dundee
DD1 5PA

Tel: 01382 322222
Fax: 01382 200791
Email: enquiries@taysidefire.gov.uk

Response to Councillor Roberts about Balmossie Fire Station

In Dundee Evening Telegraph on Friday, Councillor Christina Roberts claimed that the decision to consult the public again about the downgrading of Balmossie Fire station was informed by the necessity to make savings.
Councillor Laurie Bidwell said:
"Councillor Roberts is being rather selective in what she reveals in her letter. It is true in the introduction to Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/2011 the Fire and Rescue Board Convener, expresses similar sentiments to those contained in Councillor Roberts's letter. But reading on, in the section about downgrading Balmossie, it is clearly stated that 'This proposal will cost no more money and importantly no less money," (page 149 of Board Papers) since the money saved in Dundee will be earmarked for spending in Forfar.

Councillor Roberts also does not comment on why she thought that a similar proposal, which was turned down emphatically in the public consultation and by the Fire and Rescue Board in March, should be worthy of being re-examined now.

Finally, Councillor Roberts fails to mention how her constituents often rely on fire crews from Balmossie when they are moved to Kingsway East fire station to back up the Kingsway crews."

Note
While Balmossie Fire Station does primarily serve Broughty Ferry, Monifieth and their landward areas, it frequently back up crews in other fire stations, particularly but not exclusively Kingsway East in Dundee..

Balmossie Fire Station Under Threat

Members of the Tayside Fire and Rescue Board reading their papers for the Fire Board meeting in Forfar next Monday morning, may be experiencing a sense of deja vu. On their agenda is the approval of a public consultation process for 'Towards a Safer Tayside 2010/2011'. Included in recommendations for 2010/11 are proposals to downgrade Balmossie Fire Station which are nearly identical with those that were consulted on extensively and voted down by the Fire Board in March of this year. When I raised this issue with the media last week, I had hoped that good sense would have prevailed in setting the agenda for the next Tayside Fire and Rescue Board meeting. My constituents in Broughty Ferry will be very disappointed. They will be forgiven for thinking that the consultation proposed is a sham. Last year a record number of people responded to the proposed Fire and Rescue Strategy and in Broughty Ferry more than 600 people objected to that part of the strategy that was linked to downgrading services based at Balmossie Fire Station. Not only were the overwhelming majority of respondents unconvinced but the proposals did not convince members of the Fire and Rescue Board either. On 30 March 2009, Councillors on the Fire and Rescue Board voted by twelve votes to five to drop that part of the strategy. If the consultation last year was entered into genuinely and respectfully, how can so many voices be ignored? Why is the Fire Master, Stephen Hunter, so obdurate that he cannot take no for an answer from the public and the Fire and Rescue Board?"