Hitting back at criticism of the Chief Fire Officer, former National Security Minister David Burch said any blame for funding cuts to the service ought to rest with him.Colonel Burch sprang to the defence of Fire Chief Vincent Hollinsid, criticised as “dictatorial” by the Fire Service Association’s president Allan Wilkinson.Mr Wilkinson last week told The Royal Gazette that favouritism and staff shortages had brought morale at the service to a low point.Commending Mr Hollinsid as “a fearless leader”, Lt Col Burch last night responded: “With regard to funding — this is a matter that rests solely with the Minister of the day who must secure adequate funding.“For the years that I was Minister — I accept full responsibility, and blame if you will, that in the economic climate that prevailed I was unable to secure not only the full funding requests by the Chief Fire Officer but for several other Ministry Departments, as for some of those years there were mandated budget cuts.”After 43 years’ service, the Fire Service head’s retirement is imminent.Lt Col Burch said he was certain Mr Hollinsid “would be the first to admit that he wasn’t perfect — who is? — but I happily stand at the front of the line in thanking him for his outstanding service, I wish him a happy and health filled retirement”.Saying he’d been the Minister responsible for the Bermuda Fire Service from December, 2007 until April, 2011, Lt Col Burch said Mr Wilkinson had attacked the Chief Fire Officer for issues that fell outside his remit.He listed accomplishments of recent years in legislation, training and infrastructure for the service, adding: “It was in 2010 when I indicated that we might have to recruit fire fighters from overseas for the very first time in our history as a result of the inability of sufficient recruits passing the entry requirements. Happily as a result of the efforts of Chief Hollinsid and his team, overseas recruitment has not been necessary to date.”Mr Hollinsid was not available for comment last night. A spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley said Mr Dunkley was preparing to issue a response.