FIREFIGHTERS in Kent are warning that lives could be lost if a plan to axe a specialist crew gets the go-ahead.

The Fire Brigades Union says it has grave concerns over the proposal in the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority's recently published Risk Management Plan.

In particular, it fears that the introduction of alternative crewing of frontline specialist vehicles, like Canterbury's turntable ladder, could have disastrous consequences.

Kent union secretary, Harry Sawyer said safety could be directly affected by the "downgrading of the service," proposals which are currently out for public consultation.

He said: "By alternate crewing specialist rescue vehicles, such as the turntable ladder at Canterbury, it could lead to increased fire damage and possible deaths.

"With its many closely packed, tall buildings the city of Canterbury needs the reassurance of constant cover. The aim is to take away the two frontline firefighters, who would normally man the specialist vehicle, and give them roles in community fire safety work.

"But you could easily have a situation in Canterbury where a turntable ladder is urgently needed for a fire in the city, but the crew will have to come from Folkestone or Thanet which could take half and hour."

Mr Sawyer is urging the public to get a copy of the plan from the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Service website www.kent.fire-uk.org and object to the proposal.

A spokeswoman for the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue said that under the proposals enough staff would be maintained to crew either a front-line engine or specialist vehicle.

But she admitted that there could be circumstances when additional fire engines might have to come from ‘nearby’ stations.

She added: “Alternative crewing is not a new concept and many other areas operate the system without a problem. We have already used the system when resources are stretched and it has proved successful enough for us to consider its wider application.

“The proposals place greater emphasis on preventing fires rather than simply responding to them when they occur. Any reduction in posts would be partly offset by greater investment in fire safety.”