High Rise Tower Fire Warnings

Published on: 15 Mar, 2019
Updated on: 17 Mar, 2019

By Rebecca Curley

local democracy reporter

Surrey’s firefighters could not tackle high-rise building fires quickly and safely if proposed changes to the service are made, the county council has been warned.

The council is consulting on changes which would affect response times and night cover. Firefighters fear officers retiring would not be replaced and cuts to night cover would slow response times.

More high rise buildings are expected in Guildford town centre as pressure for housing continues, including the ten-storey development due to be built at Guildford railway station this year.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development at Guildford station.

Jeremy Spencer, a Sunbury firefighter for 19 years, told SCC and Spelthorne Borough Council Joint Committee on Wednesday (March 13, 2019): “Fires in high-rise tower blocks are particularly challenging and a substantial contributor to fire deaths both of public and firefighters. As such we have quite strict safety systems at work which are very manpower-intensive.”

He said the arrangement of pumps proposed in the Making Surrey Safer document meant it would “no longer be possible” for firefighters to intervene in high-rise fires within the timeframe set in their fire-rating procedures.

That could effectively mean a choice between firefighters putting themselves at risk by going in without being properly prepared, or putting the public at risk by waiting for the right manpower and equipment to arrive.

Another Sunbury firefighter said the consultation was so worded that residents would not understand what impact the changes would make.

Denise Turner-Stewart, SCC cabinet member for community safety, fire and resilience, told the committee no posts would be lost as a result of the proposals and no posts are being made redundant.

She said: “These proposals are about saving lives. It’s about protection and prevention. These proposals are based on a very scientific risk profile.” They had been checked by inspectors and government officers, she added.

Councillors said they would look at the consultation document and Cllr Alison Griffiths is meeting with firefighters on Saturday (March 16) to hear their concerns.

Cllr Ian Beardsmore said: “It’s not just people’s lives at stake, we are actually putting our staff at risk. I think we need to make a very strong statement. It’s our residents and our firefighters who are at risk here.”

SCC’s Making Surrey Safer proposals include keeping the same number of fire stations and fire engines going but reducing night cover at certain locations.

The Fire Brigades Union said firefighters had already experienced “brutal cuts” with 131 firefighter positions slashed between 2010 and 2018 and that the proposed changes would cut a further 70 posts.

The consultation runs until May 26.