A FIFE MSP has called for politicians to unite to address cuts to the Kingdom's Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Alex Rowley has written to all MSPs in the area urging them to come together to put pressure on Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhan Brown to discuss concerns.

It is feared 65 firefighting jobs will be lost in Fife with 15 set to go in Dunfermline.

READ MORE: Fife Council calls for re-think on fire service cuts

This will happen as the city's fire station in Pitreavie is set to lose its combined aerial rescue platform, while fire trucks will also be removed from both Glenrothes and Methil. Kirkcaldy will also have to do without its height appliance.

Since the announcement earlier this year, fears have been raised that safety will be compromised with the reduced amount of appliances and staff.

The Fire Brigades Unions has mounted a fierce campaign of resistance to the cuts and the union's members have been out in the community garnering support.

READ MORE: Firefighters protest over planned cuts before council meeting

Mr Rowley said it was "outrageous" that the minister responsible for the fire service was not meeting Fife MSPs to discuss concerns.

"I have been inundated by constituents who are concerned about the cuts being made to the fire and rescue service," he said.

"Siobhan Brown is claiming that cuts to services are an 'operational matter' for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service management but the reality is we are only in this position because of the year on year real terms budget cuts imposed on the fire service by the Scottish Government, so the buck stops with her, she cannot hide behind SFRS management.

"This is about the safety of our people and our communities, she must take responsibility and meet with Fife MSPs."

John McKenzie, Scottish Secretary of the FBU said the Scottish Fire and Rescue service was "in crisis" because of repeated below inflation budget settlements from the Scottish Government.

"The withdrawal of appliances at these stations in Fife is the latest in a long line of cuts that are undermining our members' ability to keep communities and businesses safe," he added.

"We cannot go on like this, our members will not sit back and watch the fire service being dismantled, we will taking our campaign across the country and directly to the politicians who are responsible for this mess."

In a letter to Mr Rowley, Ms Brown said operational decisions were a matter for the SFRS Board and Chief Officer.

She added: "I have recently further 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 and is based on robust data and on the premise that community and firefighter safety will be maintained.

"I have also asked for relevant data that has informed their decision making be made available for stakeholders and elected members.

"SFRS has also assured me that the impact of the temporary changes will be fully assessed and evaluated and that a full public consultation will take place on the changes before anything is made permanent.

"I understand SFRS have been organising and carrying out meetings with local representatives and therefore would be in a better position to discuss the evidence on which these decisions have been made and the concerns of your constituents."

Following the announcement of the service's shake-up, SFRS assistant chief officer, David Farries, said the proposals followed a "robust review" of data.

He added: "We have identified 10 fire stations where we can temporarily remove an appliance with the least impact on response times.

“As we strive to modernise our service, it’s right and proper to identify efficiencies to deliver value for money while maintaining operational resilience. We will continue to review our position moving forward.”