BUDGET cuts could be compromising the safety of the island’s firefighters.

An independent audit of the Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service has backed the reinstatement of two firefighter posts lost through rationalisation in 2007.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Advisory Unit review, the first since 2002, recommends initial response crews of least nine to ensure safety. The GF&RS currently has 65 full-time and 24 part-time staff.

Chief officer Ron Taylor said he had also called for the reinstatement in his annual report for 2008.

‘We are not talking about needing nine for every incident, it’s mainly property fires, but we don’t know what we are up against until we get there,’ he said.

‘It’s a dangerous job and crews need to have a safe system in order to function properly.’

He said the only other way to meet the recommendation was to disband the community safety initiative, which he was reluctant to do.

Three firefighters work full-time on this throughout the week, speaking in schools, workplaces, running media campaigns, carrying out fire safety checks in homes and fitting fire alarms.

• People can see the improvements to the station at an open day tomorrow between 10.30am and 5pm.