Dunfermline: More than 500 people are against fire cuts

And Alex Rowley MSP has urged more locals to add their support and push for the changes, which opponents say will put lives in "greater danger", to be scrapped.

There's concern about the loss of 65 firefighting jobs across the Kingdom - with 15 set to go in Dunfermline.

The city's fire station in Pitreavie will also lose its combined aerial rescue platform, while fire trucks will be removed from both Glenrothes and Methil and Kirkcaldy will have to do without its height appliance.

Mr Rowley said: "Firefighters in Dunfermline have launched a petition against the cuts to local fire services.

Khushi's restaurant was badly damaged after a fire in April. (Image: Craig Tonner)

"If you live in Dunfermline and the surrounding villages and towns please consider signing the petition, get behind the firefighters' campaign and stop the cuts."

And after two major blazes in the city recently – Khushi's restaurant was badly damaged after a fire in April while Fife Council's former local office in Walmer Drive went up in flames 10 days ago – the issue has been brought into sharp focus.

The petition was started by an unnamed local firefighter and states: "These changes are proposed due to years of underfunding, and will put the lives of both firefighters and the general public in greater danger.

"This petition has been created to allow us to voice our opinion that this is wrong and that we cannot allow this to happen!"

Earlier this month the MSP called for urgent talks with the Scottish Government after raising "very serious concerns" about the proposals by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

The removal of the combined aerial rescue platform from Dunfermline Fire Station will also see 15 fewer firefighters stationed there, says the union. (Image: Newsquest)

Fife Council have also voiced their opposition and Mr Rowley said: "We need to stand together to oppose the massive proposed cuts to fire services in Fife.

"Firefighters are campaigning across Fife communities and we all need to get behind them to support their calls."

Last month Dunfermline's fire chief, station commander Craig Robertson, said the city was in "not too bad a position" compared to other areas in Fife as it will get a new height appliance.

He said: "The combined aerial rescue platform was very, very seldom used because we couldn't staff it, it's out of lease, it's obsolete, we can't get parts for it and it was more off the run than on.

"Basically it wasn't being used.

"Dunfermline will still have its height capability, it will be based here but it will be a nationwide asset and could be mobilised anywhere in the country."

One city firefighter, who did not want to be named, previously told the Press: “It is one less appliance that can be used for a standard house fire."

He added: “If all Dunfermline appliances are out at a good-going house fire, it relies on cover but there is going to be one less appliance in these places.

"The height appliance cannot get anyone out of a car or attend any standard fires.”

Mr Rowley raised concerns about the fire service to the minister for victims and community safety, Siobhian Brown MSP, who said the proposals were "not all about cost saving".

She had added: "By removing appliances in a planned and measured way SFRS can make sure full crews are available for the remaining 625 operational appliances more of the time."

Chris Murphy, from the Fire Brigade Union, said: “These are significant cuts for and ultimately it makes the community less safe.

"It doesn’t matter how the fire service butters it up. It makes firefighters and the community less safe."

You can sign the petition here