Leicestershire fire chiefs have launched a public consultation on planned cuts to the service.
Bosses at the service have unveiled a detailed document which they are encouraging everyone to read.
The consultation, which ends on December 31,
is over proposals to save £7.5m over the next five years due to central government demands.
The service, which covers Leicestershire and Rutland, is asking the public whether they would be prepared to pay an extra amount on their council tax and if so, if this would be £5 or £10.
The proposals are also outlining plans to cut about 100 firefighters and three engines.
They are proposing a reduction of appliances at Loughborough, Oakham and one other station in Leicester.
They also want to reduce firefighters on engines from five to four.
The service currently employs 400 firefighters who serve the county from 20 stations.
A report commissioned by the authority in June showed the number of incidents firefighters were called to and attended had continued to fall over the last 10 years.
Richard Chandler, deputy chief fire officer said: "The message here is that we want everyone in the community to read this document and to consider the proposals.
"Nothing has been set in stone so the process here is to have the consultation and then consider that feedback from the community.
"We would say to the public that is their fire service so please make sure you have a say on how it is shaped and run over the next five years.
"We have gone to great lengths to try to reach people by every possible means and that includes new social media forums such as Facebook and Twitter.
"We hope people respond by accessing the consultation document and the tell us what they think."
The Fire Brigades Union said the proposed cuts would put lives at risk.
Graham Vaux, county FBU secretary said: "We are very worried about these proposals.
"Put simply we think these cuts will put people's lives at risk.
"If we have less than five on each fire engine there wouldn't be enough firefighters to carry out a rescue or put up a ladder.
"This means we will either have to wait for another engine, which might put people's lives at risk, or put our own lives at risk.
"It seems to us that we as a union have an agenda that is all about saving people's lives while the fire service management have an agenda of balancing the budget and meeting the demands of central government."
The proposals can be viewed at //www.facebook.com/leicsfirerescue or at Twitter at //twitter.com/leicsfirerescue.
Also at www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/irmp where there are copies of the documents, more information and
a feedback questionnaire that can be completed.
Printed copies of the consultation document will be at
local libraries, where they should be a limited number of feedback
questionnaires.
Anyone who does not have access to the internet, or would prefer to receive a
paper copy of the consultation document and feedback questionnaire,
should contact Information Management who will send a copy.
They are on
Tel: 0116 287 2241
Email: consultation@lfrs.org
the fire service is keen to encourage feedback via the online facility at www.leicestershirefire.
gov.uk/irmp or by email to: consultation@lfrs.org or by letter to:
'IRMP Consultation'
Information Management
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
12 Geoff Monk Way
Birstall
Leicester
LE4 3BU
