Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue's Chief Fire Officer has released a statement saying that he is changing his professional advice to the Fire and Rescue Authority over potential station closures.
In January, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service informed firefighters of proposals to close eight fire stations across the county.
It's a potential series of cuts that the Fire Brigades Union has warned will put lives at risk.
The eight fire stations facing closure are:
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Ramsbury
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Bradford on Avon
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Wilton
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Mere
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Cranborne
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Hamworthy
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Maiden Newton
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Charmouth
Today, Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said: “The Members Working Group met yesterday (4th June) to consider the feedback received through the public consultation on the potential fire station closure proposals. They also received an update on the Service’s financial position. I have had some positive discussions with Government and we are hopeful we will get some future council tax flexibility for ongoing funding stability. I appreciate all the efforts from everyone who participated in the public consultation and particularly in raising matters about funding. The level of engagement has been significant and has helped inform both Members and officers.
“As I have always said, if our financial position changes, my professional advice to the Fire & Rescue Authority would change. I am now in a position to change that advice. While no decisions will be made until 30th June, the Members Working Group have agreed to recommend the below, subject to the Authority getting future council tax flexibility in line with the national average for fire and rescue services from 2027/28:
- Hamworthy Fire Station merges with Poole Fire Station, initially through a 12-month trial period.
- Wilton Fire Station merges with Salisbury Fire Station, initially through a 12-month trial period.
- The six remaining stations included within the consultation proposals remain operational and become part of a wider Service Modernisation Programme.
“This recommendation seeks to avoid compulsory redundancies and retain frontline operational resources. Since I took the role of Chief Fire Officer I have been keen to modernise and create a fire and rescue service fit for the second half of the 21st century, because we must continue to adapt if we are to remain financially sustainable and operationally effective. The Government has also been clear that additional financial flexibility must be accompanied by a credible programme of modernisation.
“The final recommendations and papers for the Fire & Rescue Authority meeting will be published on 22nd June.”
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