David Ruffley is holding urgent talks with Bury St Edmunds firefighters on Friday, 14th January at 2.00 p.m. at Bury Fire Station. He was contacted by Matt Hassey, a firefighter at Bury, when it became clear that there is a serious possibility of Bury Fire Station losing twelve firefighter posts.

This proposed cut in the service was highlighted in Suffolk Fire Authority's Draft Integrated Risk Management Plan 2005/6 which was put out for public consultation by the Public Protection Directorate of Suffolk County Council. The deadline for representations is the end of February.

These twelve posts allow vital firefighting vehicles to be mobilised quickly by highly trained professional firefighters. They also enable fire safety awareness to be provided in the outlying villages as well as in the town itself. Delivery of fire safety awareness is essential to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by fire. This area of firefighters' work is becoming increasingly intense and needs greater resources not a reduction in staffing levels.

David said: 'Our firefighters do an excellent job and are fully committed to serving the local community and minimising deaths and injuries caused by fire. They put their own lives at risk in the service of others. I share their concern about the potential loss of twelve firefighters at Bury Fire Station which will reduce their effectiveness and put an additional strain on them. I will be listening very carefully to their concerns following which I will be making representations on their behalf to Suffolk County Council.'