MORE fire stations see full-time crews replaced with retained firefighters as bosses grapple with £10million of cuts.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service deputy fire chief Adam Eckley revealed new changes are being considered, insisting the public cannot afford fire cover as it stands.

Bosses have already revealed a comprehensive package of cuts in response to the Government’s austerity measures.

Canvey and Brentwood fire stations are losing full-time fire cover in favour of two retained crews, prompting angry responses from campaigners.

Mr Eckley has now revealed more stations with full-time crews across the county could be manned solely by retained crews.

He would not say which stations would be considered, but stressed retained firefighters offer flexibility for the fire service while maintaining professionalism and standards.

Mr Eckley said: “Anybody that has a fire wants assistance as quickly as possible, but quite frankly the public can’t afford it.

“Sixty per cent of our fire cover already is provided by retained. The rates of fire deaths and injury in communities provided by retained cover are no greater than areas covered by whole time.

“I understand the emotional argument, but it is not borne out by the facts.”

Mr Eckley said pounds could be saved by changing stations from full-time to retained.

He added: “An average retained station costs around £110,000 a year.

“The lowest one is £50,000 and the most expensive one is £300,000.

Rayleigh Weir, a whole time, four watch system, costs just over £1million a year. It would save us about £900,000 if we turned that pump from whole time to retained.”

Service bosses have used data from the past five years as well as other statitstics like population numbers, to work out which of the county’s fire stations would be least affected by a move to retained.