CHEFS are being removed from fire stations across Essex – but bosses at headquarters will keep theirs.

Eight cooks who work across 12 stations and a training establishment have been made redundant by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

However, three cooks, who work in the headquarters canteen and serve those making the decision, will remain.

Alan Chinn-Shaw, secretary of the Fire Brigades’ Union, said: “It is disappointing. People have lost their jobs.

“Firefighters have to remain in the workplace for the entire shift in case there is a call.

“Now there is no provision for hot meals.

“The people who can leave for a meal at headquarters can still do so.

“But the people who go out for hours in the winter cannot.”

Mr Chinn-Shaw explained the fire service has to save between £5million and £15million.

Most of the money is likely to be saved by the potential loss of firefighters and frontline services at fire stations, but headquarters will look to save about £1million in back office functions.

He claimed the first £280,000 they found was by cutting the cooks at the stations.

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “The changes affect 12 fire stations and one training establishment.

“Eight employed staff have lost their jobs, the remainder of the requirements are met through agency staff.

“One cook has already been re-deployed.”

The service declined to answer questions about why the chefs at headquarters were remaining.

Carlo Guglielmi, a member of the Essex Fire Authority, said: “Do we want to fight fire or feed people?

“We have all got to make cuts and this is an operational matter.

“It is for the Acting Chief Fire Officer and if that is what he has worked out in order to save money, it is up to him whether it is right or wrong.”

John Jowers, another member of the authority, added: “I can see the double standards argument, but there must be some rationale and this is an operational issue.”