PROPOSALS to cut frontline services at Cirencester Fire Station could “cost lives” according to union officials and councillors.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is proposing to replace full time firefighters at the station, with on-call staff in its newly published Integrated Risk Management Plan, which details plans to save £2 million over three years.

The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) has reacted angrily to the proposals, which GFRS says will not affect its ability to respond to emergency calls and are currently subject to a public consultation.

FBU representative Tam McFarlane, said: “These proposals would compromise the safety of the public and firefighters. They are short sighted, dangerous and put budget cuts in front of public safety.

“If the cuts go ahead they would compromise the safety of people not just in Cirencester but also in the surrounding areas where fire engines would be required to answer emergency calls.

"The FBU will be campaigning vigorously against these proposals and will be holding local politicians to account with a clear message – cuts cost lives.”

Leader of Cotswold District Council Lib Dems Joe Harris, leader of Cotswold District Council Lib Dems, said: “I’m very disappointed to hear that Cirencester could have its full time firefighters removed. GFRS is one of the best forces in the UK and this move could put that quality service at risk as well as lives.”

Cirencester Fire Station currently has full-time firefighters during the day and on-call staff in the evening.

Mayor of Cirencester, Mark Harris said that if plans to build 2,350 homes in Chesterton go ahead, the fire station would be under pressure.

“If the Chesterton development goes ahead that is going to create a lot more people. Thousands more people.

“When people are thinking about cutting services, they want to think very hard about what affect that will have in future.”

GFRS chief fire officer Stewart Edgar, said the moves were necessary due to government budget cuts.

He said: “I have to provide value for money and spend public money wisely.

“I know I want to spend this money wisely to offer a retained service rather than full time. Cirencester is very quiet.

“There are low levels of risk and activity.

Mr Edgar explained that Tewkesbury Fire Station has to deal with a similar number of incidents as the Cirencester station does each year, has retained staff and covers a similar size area as Cirencester.

He said that because the Tewkesbury Station is able to cope with the amount of emergency calls it receives he is confident that Cirencester could also cope with demand if full-time staff were axed.

“I know for a fact that I can run a fire service in Cirencester with two fire engines and give an excellent emergency response.There is more high risk premises in Tewkesbury than there is in Cirencester.”

The public consultation runs until January 4. T and to have your say visit gloucestershire.gov.uk/consultglosfire.