FOUR fire engines used to train reserve firefighters in case of a strike will not be returned to the front line – even though the strike threat has apparently diminished.
And fire chiefs say, even if they were sent back into full-time duty, they would not have enough staff to crew them.
That is because firefighters are refusing to work “flexibly” and there is an “unofficial overtime ban”, the Daily Post was told last night.
The fire authority voted to keep the engines out of service at a meeting on Monday.
The move leaves stations at Crosby, Wallasey, Old Swan and Low Hill, with just one engine each.
Union leaders said making that decision without consulting the public is “outrageous”.
Critics also point out that Low Hill is a crucial inner-city station that should have two pumps, while Crosby’s engines would be called upon if a major dock fire broke out. But service chiefs say the four engines are surplus to requirements.
