I was concerned to read the story headliinedFire? Sorry, We're Closed (News Shopper, August 11) and I am disappointed an inappropriate and inaccurate headline was published which may have alarmed your readers.
The fire brigade is mobilised by 999 emergency calls and not by contacting individual stations. When an emergency call is received, our mobilising centre sends the nearest available fire engine and we never decline a call to attend an emergency.
Staffing levels at all of our fire stations are carefully planned and managed but occasionally, and particularly during holiday periods, other issues such as a higher than expected level of sickness can mean there are not enough firefighters available to crew every engine and it is necessary to provide operational response from a nearby station providing cover.
When this happens, fire cover is maintained in the same way as if the original station was already attending an emergency call.
I can assure your readers the London Fire Brigade continues to provide an exceptional level of service across the capital.
K J Knight
Commissioner for London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
COMMENT: The last thing News Shopper wants to do is scare readers but it is right and proper we report on such issues, whether they are popular or not.
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