Canvey councillor Ray Howard has vowed to fight on after his demands for a review on axeing the island’s full-time firefighters was ignored.

The long-serving councillor attended his first meeting as a member of the Essex Fire Authority at County Hall, Chelmsford, yesterday.

He took the opportunity to demand a review of the decision to axe full-time firefighters and leave Canvey fire station manned by retained crews. It followed last week’s explosion at a Pembroke-shire refinery and an Echo investigation, which revealed a list of safety failings at Coryton refinery, near Canvey.

The councillor also raised concerns about the dangers to local people from the Calor and Oikos fuel storage terminals, on Canvey.

Despite his efforts, fire chiefs ignored the calls for a review.

Mr Howard said afterwards: “I didn’t make many friends, but I told them I will never stop voicing my concerns for Canvey.

“I was disappointed none of the Labour or Lib Dem councillors spoke in support of what I was saying, but will keep pushing for a change of decision.

“There’s no doubt in my mind Canvey needs full-time firefighters.”

The county’s chief fire officer, David Johnson, claimed Mr Howard was running down the reputation of retained firefighters, who have other full-time jobs, but are on call to respond to fires and other incidents.

However, resident Tracy Towse, 40, of Second Avenue, Canvey, said: “He wasn’t criticising retained firefighters.

“We have nothing against them on Canvey, as long as they work in partnership with a full-time fire crew.

“I’m pleased Ray has spoken out.

“Hopefully this will put pressure on them to change their minds.”

Canvey previously had both a full time and retained crew.

A spokesman for the fire service insisted the changes would not affect Canvey’s emergency response.

He said: “The fire cover review is the most comprehensive review ever carried out by Essex Fire and Rescue Service.”