BLAZING MAD
FIRE CHIEFS have launched an investigation to hunt down the mole who circulated cutback leaflets to the public.
Distributed in the Colwyn Bay area, the leaflets detail the ‘life-threatening’ implications, if controversial plans to axe Colwyn Bay’s emergency tender go ahead.
An anonymous letter to The Pioneer from ‘a concerned member of the Fire Service’ said: “Chief fire officer Simon Smith has instigated an investigation into who produced the leaflet , and has threatened disciplinary action against every member of the station; indeed he is reported to have expressed a wish to sack all officers at Colwyn Bay, even though no-one has yet been found to be responsible.”
Other sources close to the Pioneer confirmed that interviews with staff had taken place, and that even those off on long-term sick leave had been called in for interrogation.
The dispute comes after the Fire Authority’s Maintaining Momentum report announced a staged withdrawal of two of the four emergency tenders in North Wales to ‘stow the least used specialist rescue equipment.’
But concerned members and union officials have since slammed the document, claiming that there will be ‘massive implications on the public’ when arrival times are dramatically delayed.
The anonymous letter said: “I find Mr Smith’s actions deplorable as ‘the accused’ only wished to inform the public they serve of what they see as a reduction in the quality of service available. Also, these actions are from a chief officer who recently wrote in The Pioneer’s letters page that he welcomed comments, and that he represented a listening authority.”
Chief fire officer Simon Smith said: “The leaflet referred to is not condoned by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, as it is inaccurate in nature.
“We would not condone any tactic that is designed to misrepresent facts deliberately to make people feel less safe, therefore coercing our communities into a form of action.
“We can confirm that we are investigating issues around the distribution of leaflets and we will be concluding the investigation as quickly, thoroughly and as fairly as possible.
“At this stage, I cannot predict the outcome of the investigation nor whether any disciplinary action will be taken.
“As Iv’e mentioned previously in The Pioneer, we are a listening authority and value the views of our local communities. We welcome a debate on issues as long as the debate is based on facts and not inaccuracies.
“We must emphasise that no decision has been made, and all views gathered as part of the Maintaining Momentum proposals will be considered later this month.”
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