SUTHERLAND fire station was closed for part of the day on Thursday last week because of continuing action by Fire and Rescue NSW to curb overtime payments.
No Sutherland officers were present from 8am to 6pm after the crew was split up and sent to other stations to fill absences because of sickness and other types of leave.
Firefighters said the Moore Street Child Care Centre, across the road from Sutherland station, was among buildings in the area that had the potential to be affected by the closure.
A spokeswoman for Fire and Rescue NSW initially denied the station was closed on Thursday.
"A fire crew and truck from another station was at Sutherland, available to respond to incidents throughout the day," she said. "No fires occurred within the Sutherland fire station area on that day."
When the Leader asked what hours the replacement crew, from The Rocks, were at the station, the spokeswoman said they were "in the Sutherland fire station response area from 9.30am to 4.30pm".
Coverage outside those hours was provided by Engadine, Menai and Miranda stations.
Commissioner Greg Mullins previously has said Fire and Rescue NSW was trying to change a culture of staff taking "sickies" and others being paid overtime to cover for them.
However, the Fire Brigade Employees Union and the Opposition Leader, John Robertson, say the program of temporarily shutting stations could extend response times and cost lives.
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