Scrapping one of Islington’s fire engines could prove vital in the fight against terrorism, according to London’s fire commissioner.

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Ron Dobson has told the Gazette alternative options tabled to save the brigade millions every year would “undermine our ability to respond” to a Paris-style attack.

Today he stands firmly by his plan to remove 13 fire engines – including one from Holloway – from permanent service across London rather than opt for “alternate crewing” that he says could result in specialist fire rescue units being unavailable at a crucial moment.

Under alternate crewing one team of firefighters is responsible for manning a standard fire engine and a specialist response unit.

Mr Dobson, who oversaw the brigade’s response to the London 7/7 bombings, said: “My worry with alternate crewing is that the crews that I would like to provide our response (to a Paris-style attack) would be from fire rescue units.

“If they were alternate crewed then, potentially, if the pump attached to the station has been mobilised first then we wouldn’t be able to send the specialist crew to attend until the other engine comes back.”

Asked if this would leave the brigade less able to deal with a terror incident, he said: “Potentially, yes. If those units are alternate crewed it would undermine our ability to respond.”

He has put forward two proposals which include axing 13 fire engines kept in storage for the last two years for use during strike action.

Some of the £907,000 savings gained from the annual cost of crewing an engine would be reinvested to provide extra staff for fire rescue units.

But the chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s (LFEPA) resources committee, Andrew Dismore, has tabled a third option to find savings through alternate crewing and return the engines to use.

“The 13 engines that we’re talking about have actually been away from the frontline for two years,” said the commissioner.

“During that time we’ve continued to achieve our fire attendance time targets at a brigade level and in the majority of boroughs.

“Given that the number of fires in London has continued to fall quite significantly during that period my conclusion is the best way to balance our budget is not to replace these engines into service but to take the savings.”

The brigade has to shave £13.2million from its budget next year and has already found £5.1million of cuts that do not affect the frontline, leaving an £8.1million black hole.

The Fire Brigades Union is staunchly opposed to the loss of engines and says lives may be put at risk if fire response times increase.

But the commissioner, who joined the brigade in 1979 and has held the top job since 2007, said all 142 London’s fire engines are available to cover Islington.

“The important thing to recognise is that fire cover in London is not provided on a borough level,” he said. “Many, many fires in any of the boroughs are attended by engines from outside that borough.”

Both options will now be put out to public consultation lasting eight weeks.

Four meetings will be held across London and, for the first time, the brigade will organise online public meetings.

London Assembly Member Gareth Bacon, chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said: “If you want your voice heard I urge everyone to visit our website and tell us what they think.”

To take part in the consultation click here