It's been confirmed that there will be job losses in the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service.

It follows the slashing of jobs and budget cuts in the police force. Chief Fire Officer Kevin Groom says measures are being taken to maintain public safety against a backdrop of 'increasing budgetary constraint'.

He said: 'It is clear that we have now reached a critical point in terms of maintaining existing levels of service while balancing our finances.'

Resources will be focused on core functions with work in other areas being scaled back or stopped. Charges could be introduced for non-emergency services. Staff reductions, including the number of full time and retained fire fighters, will be achieved by retirements or voluntary retirements.

Mr Groom said: 'We will continue to concentrate on the provision of our core statutory functions of preventing, protecting and responding. This means, sadly, that the majority of our partnership work with Government Departments, private enterprise and the voluntary sector will have to be scaled down.

'It’s an honour to lead such a team of dedicated professionals and I’m proud of their continued efforts to help protect vulnerable members of the community.'

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