Lane Cove MP Anthony Roberts today expressed concern at the refusal of the Iemma-Costa Labor Government to boost firefighter numbers at the Gladesville and Ryde Fire Stations.

According to Freedom of Information data obtained by my Office, the Ryde Fire Station has lost 4 firefighters over the last two years.

In 2004, Ryde Fire Station had 21 officers, but as at September 2006 it had been cut back to 17.

Similarly at the start of the year Gladesville Fire Station had 23 firefighters and by September it has lost three firefighters.

"I'm extremely concerned the Iemma-Costa Labor Government is cutting back on frontline services," Mr Roberts said.

"The state's firemen and women do a wonderful job protecting our homes and saving lives, but they deserve the full support of government.

"Morris Iemma and Michael Costa have cutback on frontline services in a desperate attempt to fill their budget black hole.

"Instead of cutting services at the frontline, the Iemma-Costa Government should adopt my policy of a bureaucrat recruitment freeze to swap funding from the backroom bureaucracy through to funding frontline staff, such as firefighters.

“People’s lives are at risk if the Fire Brigade is not adequately resourced and funded,” Mr Roberts said.