Surrey Fire Service Faces Brutal Night-Time Cuts Despite Safety Warnings
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has slammed Surrey County Council’s plan to slash more firefighter jobs as “incomprehensible” — just months after a damning government report raised serious safety concerns.
Surrey’s Firefighter Numbers Slashed Again
Since 2010, Surrey’s fire service has been hit hard, losing 131 firefighters — a 17% cut. Now, another 70 posts face the axe, pushing the total reduction to 22% in just over a decade. This means fewer boots on the ground to tackle blazes and emergencies.
Night-Time Fire Cover to Be Decimated
The proposed cuts will hit night-time cover the hardest. Fire stations in Egham, Painshill, and Banstead would close every evening at 6pm. Meanwhile, fire crews in Guildford, Woking, Camberley, and Fordbridge would be halved after dark.
The council claims this “risk-based” approach makes sense as most fires happen during the day. But the FBU warns this logic is dangerously flawed.
Most Fire Deaths Happen at Night
Home Office data from 2017-18 shows a staggering 73% of residential fire deaths and 77% of accidental fire deaths occur between 6pm and 9am — when victims are asleep and most vulnerable. Yet Surrey’s response times have slipped to a worrying nine minutes and 13 seconds for a four-person crew — the slowest ever recorded in the county.
Back in 1994/95, crews of five took just under seven minutes to respond. The growing delays prove decades of cuts are putting lives at risk.
“The council’s claim these cuts are ‘risk based’ is ludicrous,” said Lee Belsten, FBU Surrey brigade secretary. “Cutting night-time cover leaves people exposed when they’re most at risk of fatal fire. These proposals fail to improve public safety or firefighter safety.”
“After a damning HMICFRS report and Surrey regularly missing response times, it’s shocking the council plans to worsen the situation with more savage cuts. Surrey residents deserve better.”
“The council slashes life-saving services but hikes council tax year after year. The public is getting a slower, less efficient service that costs more and puts lives in danger.”
With residents at risk during the most dangerous hours, Surrey’s fire service cuts may prove a costly gamble no one can afford.
