Call to boost brigade funding.

A FORMER fireman, who is now a councillor, is highlighting the effects of cash cuts on Cleveland Fire Brigade.

Councillor John Hannon, who was elected to Redcar and Cleveland Council in October, will put a motion next week to a meeting of the full council.

It calls for more Government funds for the fire service on Teesside.

Cleveland Fire Brigade and Cleveland Fire Authority protested to the Government earlier this year at the cash support the fire service on Teesside was receiving.

Cllr Hannon's move was prompted after he witnessed firefighters tackling a fire last month in a house at Wykeham Close in Redcar. A woman was rescued from the house by firefighters.

He said: "At the time I arrived there were two fire appliances from Redcar.

Smoke was billowing out of the roof, all windows and doors and into next door's roof void. The other bystanders were saying there were people inside.

"I realised two teams of firefighters had entered with breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

"This only seemed to leave four firefighters outside - the officer in charge, breathing apparatus entry control officer, pump operator and the second pump operator driver.

"This situation since the reduced staffing levels concerns me and the general public very much, and has been discussed at local community meetings," said Cllr Hannon.

He said the officer in charge at the Wykeham Close incident had requested more help and a third appliance was sent from the Grangetown station, with a journey time of about six to seven minutes.

"On their arrival two more firefighters entered the building as there was obviously still a lot of work to be done inside.

"If the manning levels were nine firefighters instead of eight this would take the pressure off the others. This additional person - a hydrant man - would be dealing with the hydrants, first aid and communications, as well as forming part of a third breathing apparatus crew if required, before the third appliance arrived.

"The firefighters did a great job, as did staff from Coast and Country Housing and some of the neighbours," said Cllr Hannon.

His motion calling on the Government to urgently review the level of funding allocated to Cleveland Fire Brigade will be considered at Thursday's meeting of Redcar and Cleveland Council.

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REVIEW NEEDED: Says Councillor John Hannon, left