Independent mayoral candidate Keith Tordoff has called for a review of changes to fire services in North Yorkshire that he says will put people at risk.
Mr Tordoff, who lives in Pateley Bridge, is one of five candidates standing to be the first elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire on May 2.
Mr Tordoff described changes to the fire service introduced by Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, as politically motivated “service cuts wrapped up in a sham of consultation”.
Ms Metcalfe’s Risk and Resource Model, which outlines how North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services will deploy its resources, includes the loss of four firefighter jobs at Harrogate Fire Station on Skipton Road.
In a video filmed outside Harrogate Fire Station, he said the decision should be reviewed.
The Stray Ferret broke the news in 2022 that four Harrogate firefighters would lose their jobs as part of plans to reduce the number of fire engines from two to one a night by April 2024, and has followed the issue closely since.
Ms Metcalfe has said the job losses, which will save £210,000 a year, are part of her new model putting greater emphasis on fire prevention.
Mr Tordoff said:
“I have great concerns for the people of York and North Yorkshire that they are being put at risk by this new model.
“We need to focus on if there are enough firefighters and equipment available. From what I have seen so far, it looks like the plan has been put together to fit the available budget, and that is just wrong.”
“People need to be able to sleep at night knowing that the emergency services are there if they need them, I don’t believe I will sleep well knowing these changes are going in.”
Mr Tordoff also criticised plans to review the predetermined attendance of the county’s three aerial ladder platforms, which are based in Harrogate, York and Scarborough. He said aerial ladder platforms were essential in more urban areas with taller buildings.
With people set to pay more in their 2024/25 council tax precepts for fire services, Mr Tordoff said “the whole issue of funding needs a root and branch review”.
He added:
“Of course we need the right cover for the county, an efficient fire service. But over time an increasing further tax is being placed on people.
“If I become mayor, then this very much looks like an area that would need attention. Those within the Fire Service are the experts operationally, but it would be the Mayor to ensure they are set up to deliver, and that the people of North Yorkshire are safe.”
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