THE public is being put at risk by a lack of available fire engines, a union has said.

Poole fire station has lost its second engine due to financial challenges, with the appliance being removed last month.

A week later the Fire Brigades Union said that firefighters were called to five times as many incidents as predicted.

These included a house fire, a water rescue, an attempted suicide, a vehicle crash, and a fire alarm in a high-rise tower.

Val Hampshire, the FBU executive council member for the south west said: “The sudden removal of Poole’s second fire engine has immediately put the public and firefighters at greater risk.

“Slashing resources from one of the busiest fire stations in the county has already proved reckless and dangerous, pushing on-call firefighters beyond limits to respond to incidents.

“This week of chaos has made the impact of cuts all too clear. The public deserve a fire service that is equipped to keep them safe: Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service must reverse the cuts now.”

Poole fire station is the busiest station in the county and provides assistance to all of the south of the region.

It isn’t the only station facing cutbacks, with seven other stations experiencing cuts.

DWFRS says a detailed data analysis took place, which informed the chief fire officer’s decision to remove the second fire engine at the eight stations.

The FBU has revealed that Poole fire station has now been left with only on-call members, creating extra pressure for the station.

Matt Rack, the FBU general secretary also added: “Fire services have been stretched far too thin by austerity, with firefighters working under immense pressure to save lives and homes. We need urgent investment in the fire service.”

DWFRS stated that even though the data suggests that these cutbacks are financially the right thing to do now, programmes focused on reinvestment may help the department in the future.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “As with many public sector organisations, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are facing significant financial challenges, and we have a programme of work in place to make sure we are sustainable for the future.”