Fears over fire station closures

7News Investigation: The Fire Brigade Union says the continued closure of Sydney stations is threatening the safety of our suburbs.

A 7News investigation has uncovered the stations most often shut down because of staff shortages and the state government's refusal to fund overtime.

Firefighters fear their ability to help is being hindered because when a firefighter calls in sick, instead of calling a replacement in, the station is shut with firies sent elsewhere.

The union says Neutral Bay station has been closed the most,with Maroubra, Mascot, Botany and Redfern regularly offline.

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Jim Casey of the Fire Brigade Union warned: “If your house is next to one of those closed stations when it catches alight you will feel the difference."

The NSW Premier denies compromising safety.

Barry O’Farrell said: “The firefighters union only started criticising the arrangements after the election of my government. The firefighters union has no credibility on this issue."

O’Farrell’s anger may have stemmed from when the union hosed parliament in a protest and confronting the premier during the recent Miranda by-election, when they manned every booth.

“Firefighters are not going to take this lying down,” added Mr Casey. “If they're going to come after our jobs we are going to come after theirs.”

However, the premier is not worried.

“Well, er no, no. I am not going to make up a pretend story for Channel 7.”

Tomorrow on 7News Sydney – we will reveal who the public believes.