I can see why it is that Chris Ashton (Your View, October 9) views the answers of NSW Fire and Rescue as comforting regarding Mortdale fire station (pictured).
Unfortunately, he has been lied to by omission.
Yes, the staffing arrangements at Mortdale fire station remain the same on paper as in 2008. There are 20 positions on the roster there, just as there was in 2008.
However, the reality is that seven of those positions are currently vacant and, quite deliberately, will never be filled under current Liberal policy.
It's likely that if any further staff leave they will also not be filled, meaning that slowly but surely Mortdale fire station is being starved of staff and will eventually be closed down — all without ever having its staffing arrangements altered.
This station is being closed by stealth and no one in authority, especially Mark Coure, will admit it.
O'Bray Smith, ALP candidate for Oatley
