Fire stations could close amid 'significant challenges'

Fire stations across Wiltshire and Dorset could close amid "significant financial challenges".

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue's (DWFRS) chiefs said more information on which sites could shut will be announced in February.

DWFRS has 21 stations in Wiltshire, most operating an on-call service where retained firefighters respond when required.

Andy Cole, chief fire officer, said: "As with many public sector organisations, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is facing significant financial challenges."

Leaders at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority will discuss the plans at a meeting on February 10, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

The authority is an oversight committee of councillors from Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire Council, Dorset Council, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

Cole added: "We have a programme of work under way to make sure we are sustainable in the future.

"More information will be available to the public when impacted staff have been advised and when papers are published for the Fire & Rescue Authority meeting in February."

A spokesperson for Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said a lack of recruitment in communities is the main issue.

"There are stations struggling to remain available due to the service not effectively recruiting from these communities

"The recruitment shortfalls then snowball creating harder working conditions for those on call firefighters.

"The FBU urges the service to effectively recruit into the stations… not close the stations," the spokesperson added.

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