via: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8386309/lives-at-risk-after-fire-boat-cut…

Lives will be put at risk by the NSW government’s decision to cut the only dedicated firefighting vessel on Sydney Harbour, Shadow Emergency Services Minister Nathan Rees says.

“With some 200 fires on or around Sydney Harbour each year, the O’Farrell government’s decision to cut the only dedicated firefighting vessel on the harbour will put lives and property at risk,” Mr Rees said in a statement on Wednesday.

“How does the O’Farrell government propose firefighters respond to a boat fire in the middle of Sydney Harbour without this specialised fire fighting vessel?”

He said the decision was “cost cutting gone mad”.

“Slashing vital emergency services equipment is a step too far and the minister for emergency services must immediately overturn this decision.”