FIRE rescue from Chingford covering other areas during an industrial dispute are putting residents at risk, a union claims.

Fire engines based at The Ridgeway, in Chingford, have been sent several times in the last week to cover emergency calls in Woodford and Walthamstow and even as far as Stanmore in north west London.

The cover is for stations with engines 'off the run' during watches because of a lack of qualified crew managers on duty and union members refusing to work overtime.

The situation has been caused by fire-fighters across London refusing to 'act up' to perform the role of senior officers because of an industrial dispute between the Fire Brigade Union and the London Fire Brigade over working conditions.

Union representative Ian Leahair claims it is the firefighters' employers who are putting Chingford residents at risk.

He said: “I think the Brigade is playing a very dangerous game and are taking a chance by manoeuvring rescue around London to cover shortfall.

"If they had a large fire in Chingford, there is a likelihood attendance times could be increased and they might not have rescue there to deal with it as before.

“But I believe the employers are firmly to blame because they should be able to cope with this situation because members are only working their normal hours and sticking to their contract.

"Our industrial action is highlighting the shortfall."

He added: “It is important for tax payers to know ask where is their money going if they are paying for a service they are not getting.”

Walthamstow fire station, which has only one appliance, has also had to receive cover from all over London including Islington, Poplar and Tottenham.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said due to the industrial action, which started on August 13, there are about ten fire appliances unavailable for each shift out of a fleet of 168.

He said: “No station is without fire cover, keeping any disruption to a minimum. If for any reason, staff or appliances in a particular area are unavailable it is common practice to reallocate resources from other stations to make sure we have emergency cover across the capital.

“This action is disappointing. Even though it is not an all-out strike and won’t prevent us from providing a fire and rescue service, it is still unnecessary.”

Talks have been held between the union and Brigade on the issues in dispute but no resolution has yet been reached.

Mr Leahair said he has arranged to meet the commissioner on Monday, but said the dispute will run until an agreement is reached.