Surrey Fire Boss Axed Months After Queen’s Medal – But Why?
Surrey’s Chief Fire Officer, Russell Pearson, has shockingly been removed from his post just months after receiving the prestigious Queen’s Fire Service Medal. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claims Surrey County Council (SCC) booted him out as payback for his constant warnings about risky budget cuts that could cripple fire safety.
Union Slams ‘Hatchet Job’ Cuts
FBU South East exec Richard Jones didn’t hold back: “I am in no doubt SCC replaced Russell Pearson to install someone willing to slash budgets, regardless of public or firefighter safety.”
He added: “Emergency response times here are the slowest since 1996. Fires and rescues have climbed every year since 2015. Yet SCC still pushes for more savage cuts. It’s sheer madness and puts money ahead of lives.”
Firefighters Slashed by 40%, Crews Understaffed
- Since 2010, SCC slashed £20m from fire service funds.
- A further £5.5m in cuts are planned between 2019 and 2021.
- Result? Firefighter numbers plunged by 40% – causing chronic shortages.
- Many fire engines sit idle because there aren’t enough crew to staff them.
- Crews have been cut to just four firefighters, ignoring SCC’s 2011 pledge to keep five per engine.
- Emergency call handlers have also been cut, causing dangerous delays in sending vital info to crews.
Union Warns Lives At Risk
Jones warned: “More cuts will force firefighter redundancies, slashing numbers by 50%. This’ll leave Surrey with a woefully inadequate fire service – costing lives that could otherwise be saved.”
Back in June 2017, Surrey firefighters tabled a Motion of No Confidence in SCC’s fire authority. Yet the council has refused to even meet with FBU leaders to address growing safety fears.
The FBU Calls on You
The union urges Surrey residents to fight back. Write to your county councillors now and demand they scrap these reckless fire service cuts before disaster strikes.
