Essex fire service hold strike over cuts

摘要

Firefighters in Essex have taken industria action over a dispute on frontline cuts and staffing conditions. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) has announced plans to cut at least 179 firefighters and control staff, which equates to a 25% reduction in full time uniformed firefighters. Firefighter numbers have already been reduced in Essex from 750 to 656 since 2010. The plans will also see a reduction of emergency control staff by 20% and changes to their working practices.