PLANS to increase the number of firefighters and fire engines across the region have been revealed by Merseyside's fire chief.

Chief fire officer (CFO) Phil Garrigan announced the 'challenging but achievable' proposals to increase the number of available engines from 26 to 30 and increase firefighter numbers from 620 to 642 at a budget strategy day on Thursday, January 24.

CFO Garrigan also revealed plans to recruit a further 60 firefighters this year in order to up recruitment numbers.

Subject to public consultation, the plans mean that night-time fire cover at Wallasey Fire Station and Liverpool City Fire Station would be protected.

He told the Globe: “I joined Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service almost 29 years ago, spending many years fighting fires and responding to life threatening incidents in some of our most deprived communities so I know how important these additional resources will be.

"Not reinvesting was never really an option, it was more a matter of how.

“Having exhausted all attempts to secure additional in-year funding and not wishing to increase council tax bills via a referendum, I have had to re-position risk.

"I fully understand that the proposals will require us to innovate, but subtle changes to the way we operate will result in more fire engines and more firefighters – that is the most important thing to me right now.

“It is my job to worry about the money so my firefighters and my protection and prevention teams can get on with theirs - we have some truly fantastic people who will make our communities safer as a result of this investment.

“I have shared my financial plans with the Fire Authority and I know I can deliver them - even if they may cause me to have one or two sleepless nights along the way.

“And rest assured I will continue to press the Government for further funding - that fight has only just begun.”

In his address to the Fire Authority he described a repositioning of 'organisational risk' which was not reliant on 'unachievable' government funding and focuses on the creative use of existing funding to protect the frontline.

CFO Garrigan said he was 'extremely confident' that the plans would make the service more 'resilient' and 'better able to respond to emerging risks.'

He also thanked the Fire Authority, Merseyside MPs, Metro Mayor Rotheram and the rest of the City Region leaders for supporting his plans.

The new proposals will be subject to a full consultation.

Mark Rowe, Fire Brigades Union regional secretary in the North West said: “We welcome these proposals and we urge the fire authority to fully support them.

"Our success shows that an organised and focused campaign, which includes the local communities and political groups, can deliver significant results.

“The FBU, in the face of almost a decade of savage austerity, has shown that we can mobilise massive support and resistance, to not only stop proposed cuts, but also overturn previous cuts.

"It is undoubtable that the public of Merseyside will now be safer due to the determined efforts of the FBU.

"I want to thank each and every FBU member, and the public, who have supported this campaign – without them, we would not have achieved what we have.”

The news comes after former CFO Dan Stephens spoke out last month about the financial pressures dealt by austerity policies to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and how different the culture is in Australia, where he has taken up a new role.

Speaking to Press Association, Mr Stephens said: "In the UK was all about austerity and here there is very substantial investment in the fire and rescue service. It couldn't be more different in that sense."