THE local elections are now over.

When readers cast their vote I hope they spared the time to consider how the local fire service has been decimated over the past four years - a service they pay for.

It has been attacked and decimated as local politicians of all shades have looked on. Cuts and reductions have been nodded through.

Please bear in mind the following: Dangerous reductions in front-line firefighter posts; Dangerously low levels of crewing throughout the brigade; Pay hikes for senior managers; Inordinate amounts of taxpayers' money being wasted on regional fire control rooms; Fire engines turning out with reduced crews on board; Fire engines turning out without supervisory managers on board; Fire engines unavailable throughout the county; Reduced attendances to business premises; High-reach appliances no longer crewed properly; Further cuts planned for next year; As always, increases in your local taxes.

Why has there been a reduction in fire cover and an increase in local taxes? Something does not quite add up here.

The way these cuts are going ahead, unopposed, the fire service might not be there for you, when you need it most. The silence from local politicians over these matters is deafening.

Ian Watkins, Brigade Secretary, North Yorkshire Fire Brigades' Union.