Brigade's alarm over driver shortage

The London Fire Brigade is 400 drivers short, resulting in delays to answering many 999 calls, it was revealed today.

It could also put lives in the capital at risk, leaving the city unprepared in the event of a terrorist attack or other major incident.

The capital needs about 2,000 drivers to run a full service but the vacancy rate of 20 per cent is now expected to rise even higher.

Some stations without drivers have to appeal to Brigade neighbours to answer 999 calls - but there are not always enough to do that. The shortage is revealed by Valarie Shawcross, chairman of the London Fire And Emergency Planning Authority.

She said: "We need about 2,000 drivers of fire engines to run a full service. At the moment we are seriously below that level and it does cause an enormous amount of operational difficulty."

Ms Shawcross said the shortfall was about 400 drivers - and she warned the problem could get far worse in the next couple of years because many existing drivers were about to retire.

Many joined the service in a recruitment drive 30 years ago, following the first national strike over pay. They are now reaching retirement age at the same time.

Mick Shaw, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) executive council member for London, said poor morale in the wake of last year's bitter pay dispute is also largely to blame. He said drivers "aren't paid a penny for the extra responsibility". He said 999 calls are being answered "but the response may take longer".

Mr Shaw said: "In the old days people used to volunteer to go on driver courses - but now people see the reasons not to do it."

He said there have been incidents where fire engine drivers have been involved in accidents and end up in court "risking their own licences".

There are plans by the Brigade for another recruitment campaign, and a proposal to pay a drivers' bonus.