FIRE chiefs have announced proposals to replace full-time firefighters with part-timers, reduce the number of crews on duty and vacate stations in quiet times to save cash.
The measures announced by Humberside Fire And Rescue Service are among 26 potential ways to cut £5 million from its budget.
Other proposals include reducing the number of watches on duty and converting full-time crews to "retained officers" – which would save hundreds of thousands.
Chairman of the Fire Brigades Union Rob Vaux has ruled out strike action over the plans, but has public safety concerns.
"This isn't about protecting the jobs of firefighters, but about the risk to the communities in which we live," he said.
However, Councillor Terry Walker (Lab, East Marsh), who represents North East Lincolnshire Council on Humberside Fire Authority, said it had to respond to cuts from central Government.
He said: "These are only options and nothing has yet been decided.
"We can still maintain standards – and no stations will close."
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dene Sanders also said the quality of the service will not be compromised.
"It is inevitable the number of fire engines and staff will change as a result of funding cuts, but we have a plan to maintain the standards people currently enjoy for the foreseeable future."
The service revealed the plans during a presentation yesterday which will be released as part of an engagement process at the start of June – before a formal consultation process begins.
There are two or three proposals for each station – which can be read in the panel above – but they must only choose one.
There are also three options involving the merger of services at multiple stations, which could be implemented on top of others.
However, Mr Sanders said that compulsory redundancies would be "an absolute last resort".
He added: "We have started the process early to allow staff who can retire to exit and bring in the efficiencies behind that."
The maximum savings for the proposals only add up to £4 million, which means further savings will need to be made from support services and community safety.
Fire Authority members will decide in September which options to take forward to a formal public consultation and none of the cuts will be implemented before next April.
The options that are being considered Cromwell Road: 1) Remove one fire engine and crew, saving £850k-950k. 2) Convert one full-time crew to a retained crew, saving £650k-750k. 3) Remove one engine and crew from 1am to 9am, saving £300k-350k. Peaks Lane: 1) Remove one fire engine and crew, saving £850k-950k. 2) Convert a full-time crew to a retained crew, saving £650k-750k. 3) Remove one fire engine and crew from midnight to noon, saving £400k-450k Immingham West: 1) Remove one engine, saving £850k-950k. 2) Remove one engine and crew from 9pm to 8am, saving £400k-450k. Immingham East: 1) Remove one engine and crew from midnight to 9am, saving £300k-350k. Other options which could also be added include: 1) Have no full-time crews based at Cleethorpes and Waltham and relocate one from Cromwell Road and Peaks Lane from 6pm to midnight, saving £220k-400k. 2) Have no crew based at Cleethorpes and relocate one from Cromwell Road from 6pm to midnight, saving £110k-200k. 3) Merge Cromwell Road and Peaks Lane crews, removing one of four fire engines in total (so three would be based at one location), saving £850k-950k