Only 12 Kingston residents have responded to a public consultation from London Fire Brigade (LFB) on improving response times, despite the borough’s below average performance and plans to move a fire engine from Kingston to New Malden station.
LFB has proposed moving the fire engine in a bid to get firefighters to life-threatening situations faster, with response times currently 30 seconds longer than the London average.
Firefighters currently take five minutes and 58 seconds to arrive on scene in Kingston, with a second engine taking eight minutes and three seconds – 31 and 17 seconds longer than the capital’s average.
From December 2016: Fire engine could move from Kingston to New Malden station in bid to improve borough's below average response times
It is thought the move will improve the figures by three and 17 seconds respectively.
But despite Kingston being one of the London boroughs most affected by the plans only 10 men and two women have so far responded to LFB’s consultation.
It is the fourth lowest response numbers in the capital.
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said: “Fire doesn’t discriminate and our four year plan affects everyone no matter what gender, religion or ethnicity.
“In my first few weeks in the job I’ve been out talking to a number of people and I know how important the brigade is to Londoners so don’t miss out on the chance to scope our service in the future.”
LFB is believed to be very disappointed with the number of responses, particularly the low number of women across London.
LFB has launched its draft four year plan for making the capital the world’s “safest global city”, including increasing terrorism response capabilities and more challenging response times.
There are currently no plans to reduce the number of firefighters or engines, though £6.4m-worth of cuts are expected to be made next year with LFB having already consulted on proposals.jonathan.mitchell@london.newsquest.co.uk
- Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6315 to send an email to jonathan.mitchell@london.newsquest.co.uk
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