The Celtic League Cornish branch has expressed its support for a Fire Brigade Union campaign to oppose cuts in fire cover across Cornwall.
In a letter to the FBU Regional Office for the South West they say they are lobbying Members of Parliament and the County Council (see below):
"Mr Phil Jordan FBU Regional Office 158 Muller Road Horfield, Bristol, BS7 9RE
29th July, 2007
Dear Mr Jordan
EXPENDITURE CUTS AND REDUCTION OF SERVICE LEVELS CORNWALL FIRE BRIGADE
I write following discussion of this matter at our local Branch meetings recently and of many letters we have written to all of Cornwall's Members of Parliament as well as to Cornwall Council.
In short, we have raised our severe concerns at the proposed cuts to our fire service both in terms of expenditure and cover and our membership are ill at ease that retained firemen are being increasingly as an excuse of service provision in lieu of professionally trained fire fighters.
The lack of morale within Cornwall Fire Service must be noticeable and the proposed cut back represents an appalling lack of understanding and recognition for our brave fire fighters who have saved countless lives down the years. To even propose cutting night cover in Falmouth where there is a substantial dock and related shipping industry is quite frankly outrageous and represents a definite hazard to public safety.
There is now a full public campaign in force in the Duchy to persuade those in public office to carefully consider the possible outcome of their ill thought out proposals following a shabby and badly organised public consultation.
If you have any suggestions as to others whom we may write would you kindly let me know and we should be only too pleased to do so. Meanwhile please rest assured that should the fire-fighters in Cornwall consider any industrial action, members of our organisation would be honoured to stand side by side with them in protest.
I so hope that you may find time to reply to my letter.
Yours sincerely
Michael J.T. Chappell Secretary - An Kesunyans Keltek Scoren Kernewek"
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
30/07/07
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