AN MSP has called for an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government after highlighting "very serious concerns" about proposed cuts to the fire service in Fife.

Labour politician Alex Rowley said plans to remove appliances across the Kingdom have led to a public outcry and real fears that lives will be put at risk.

He said: "People across Fife have been getting in touch stating how worried they are about these cuts, and rightly so.

"There has been a complete abdication of responsibility from the SNP government who are determined to pass the blame for these cuts on to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as well as contradictory claims of these being ‘temporary cuts’, which do not add up when what firefighters themselves are reportedly being told are permanent changes."

Dunfermline Press: Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley. Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley. (Image: Alex Rowley)

Mr Rowley said Dunfermline Fire Station will lose its combined aerial rescue platform, a secondary appliance will go from both Glenrothes and Methil while Kirkcaldy will have to do without its height appliance.

He highlighted a recent blaze in the Kingdom that required three appliances and the height appliance and stated: "Had this incident happened after these cuts were made the lives of local people and firefighters would have been put at much greater risk."

The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said thousands of people have already signed a petition against the cuts, which have also been condemned by Fife Council, politicians, local firefighters and the Fire Brigade Union (FBU).

The union's Scottish secretary, John McKenzie, said: “The cuts being made in Fife will see a huge reduction in fire cover, with three of the current 11 whole-time appliances cut and one of the current two height appliances.

"SFRS will remove appliances and firefighters from stations in Methil, Dunfermline and Glenrothes and additionally further firefighters and the height appliance from Kirkcaldy.

"The cuts being proposed will remove fire cover from across Fife and will categorically increase the risk local communities and firefighters face."

READ MORE: Fife firefighters protest over planned cuts

Mr Rowley has called for an urgent meeting of all Fife MSPs with the minister for victims and community safety, Siobhian Brown.

And he told the Press: "It is vital that we have a full consultation to discuss the proposals and understand the actual impact of these cuts on Fife communities before any action is taken."

Ms Brown said decisions on the number and location of appliances are down to the SFRS and any moves to modernise must ensure the service can still meet its statutory duties and deliver "value for money".

Dunfermline Press: Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown MSP. Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown MSP. (Image: Newsquest)

She stated: "I have sought and received assurances from the SFRS chief fire officer that the decision to temporarily remove appliances has not been taken quickly or lightly by SFRS.

"The service is proposing these changes based on robust data and on the premise that community and firefighter safety will be maintained.

"The CFO has also assured me that there would be a rigorous assessment of the impact of these temporary changes along with a full public consultation before any further changes to service provision are made."

Ms Brown said there will be "no redundancies" although some firefighters may have to move to different stations to "ensure the right people are available to deal with all emergency situations".

READ MORE: Dunfermline Fire Station to get new height appliance

She continued: "Whilst the SFRS is seeking to ensure they deliver their service effectively and efficiently to make the best value of taxpayers money, their decision to withdraw appliances is not all about cost saving.

"By removing appliances in a planned and measured way SFRS can make sure full crews are available for the remaining 625 operational appliances more of the time."