THE firefighters' union claims lives are at risk because of a shortage of high rise appliances in Greater Manchester.

The union, the FBU, claims that budget cuts mean the reserve appliance fleet has not been properly maintained so that when fire engines need repair there are not enough spare vehicles to replace them.

They say that a situation occurred in Bolton in November when the area's aerial appliance was sent to central Manchester to cover there and the appliance from Leigh had to be sent to cover Bolton. And over last weekend the union claims Moss Side was left without aerial cover when its appliance was sent to Oldham.

Aerial monitors are used to rescue people from high buildings as well as direct water onto flames from above.

But Fire Brigades Union Greater Manchester chairman Jim McMullen says that instead of 10 being available in the county there are now only eight, which means they may have to travel further to reach a fire. "Aerial appliance cover in Greater Manchester is at crisis point with the Brigade currently operating at 20pc below the agreed establishment," he said.

"The way the Brigade is operating there is a tragedy waiting to happen."

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire Service told the BEN the Oldham aerial appliance has been repaired and is due back at the station today.

She added that areas are still "more than adequately covered" when appliances are redeployed and denied that the reserve fleet is not properly maintained.

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