Local firemen lobbied Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster in Parliament last week calling for safety measures to be improved.

Although no deaths have been recorded this year 10 firemen have died nationwide in the past 5 years.

“If best practice had been followed some of these lives may have been saved and we need to focus on that” said the MP.

The MP also gave his backing to the Fire Brigade Union’s campaign for a national inspectorate that could enforce good practice across the country.

“Firemen perform an incredibly dangerous and important job for our communities. We must do everything possible to ensure safety is put first.”