Wilton Fire Station and Seven Others Under Threat of Closure

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has this morning 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: 

• Ramsbury 

• Bradford on Avon 

• Wilton 

• Mere 

• Cranborne 

• Hamworthy 

• Maiden Newton 

• Charmouth 

Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said, “As with many public sector organisations, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) continue to face significant financial challenges, despite our attempts to lobby Government for better funding. This financial pressure reflects a long-term reduction in central government funding for fire and rescue services, combined with rising costs that sit largely outside our control, such as the addition of National Insurance and pay award costs, as well as a below national average council tax contribution, we must find ways to address the forecast deficits and ensure we are sustainable in the future. 

“Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Authority will be considering a recommendation at its February meeting to start public consultation on the potential closure of eight on-call fire stations.

“A fire cover review has been underway for the past three years, looking at information and data about all 50 of the fire stations within DWFRS, including appliances and crewing. We are always working to make sure we use our resources efficiently, so we continue to provide an emergency service to our communities when and where they need us, whilst making the best use of public money.

“The eight stations being considered by the Authority for potential closure are Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy and Maiden Newton (Dorset), Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton (Wiltshire).

“Whilst no decision is being made on any proposal for closure until the Fire Authority meeting on 30 June, my focus now is on supporting staff through the uncertain months ahead. I want to recognise the professionalism, pride and commitment shown by firefighters across the Service. I know how deeply connected people are to their station, and their community, and I do not underestimate how personal this will feel. I am extremely grateful for the continued dedication they show in serving their communities during what I know will be an incredibly challenging time.”

Full details of the proposals will be included in the papers for the meeting on 10 February, which will be available to view at www.dwfire.org.uk from 2 February. If agreed, the public consultation will run for 13 weeks, with a final decision taken by the Authority on 30 June.

The FBU says that closing fire stations will leave communities across Dorset and Wiltshire without adequate protection from fires, flooding and other life-threatening emergencies.  

The fire authority will be meeting on 10th February to decide whether to take the proposals to a 13-week public consultation. 

The FBU says it’s putting members on an ‘industrial footing’ to defend services against cuts across the UK. Firefighters in Oxfordshire are moving towards industrial action in response to cuts threatened by the county council, while cuts have been averted in Avon and Leicestershire following FBU campaigns. 

Barney Hedgecock, FBU fairness at work rep for Dorset and Wiltshire, said, “Dorset and Wiltshire fire and rescue service is already severely overstretched and under-resourced. The raging Holt Health wildfire this summer should have been a stark warning that the service needs urgent investment to face increasing extreme weather events. 

“Firefighters work tirelessly to keep communities safe, but the reality is that cuts and station closures put lives at greater risk. Fewer firefighters and fire engines available will mean slower response times to emergencies, at times when every second counts.  

“The FBU is calling on the fire authority to reject these disastrous proposals. The council and fire service leaders must put public safety first and stop these cuts.” 

Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said, “Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is facing a devastating loss of resources, with senior leaders threatening to close eight fire stations. 

“We need a fire and rescue service that is fit to face the future. Closing fire stations and running the service ragged will only leave communities at greater risk – instead, we need investment to rebuild resilience.  

“The FBU is ready to fight to prevent dangerous cuts up and down the country, and firefighters have been successful in stopping them in several brigades. Firefighters are making it clear that we won’t stand by while cuts cost lives. 

“Dorset and Wiltshire fire authority and fire service must do everything in their power to secure the funding desperately needed to rebuild the service.”