IN response to the letter regarding the number of engines at Saughall Massie Fire Station, I would like to reassure your readers that despite years of unrelenting government cuts, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) has recently presented alternative proposals to the Fire & Rescue Authority which if approved, would increase the number of available fire engines across Merseyside from 26 to 30 and increase the number of firefighters to 642.

This will make MFRS more resilient and better able to respond to current and emerging risks.

The proposals include the introduction of two "roving" fire engines at Wallasey and Liverpool City fire stations.

These will be despatched where needed.

This alongside other changes would mean MFRS is able to maintain night time cover in Liverpool City and Wallasey.

Under the new proposals, Saughall Massie fire station will have one permanent engine but as a "key station" it will always have a fire engine based there.

This means that when that engine is sent to an incident, another will be moved towards it to ensure we are able to continue to respond as quickly as possible.

This supporting fire engine will get to the new station quicker than any retained crew could be recalled.

These proposals are based on risk and in my professional view continue to provide an excellent service to residents across Wirral and Merseyside.

Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan by email