Fire stations could be saved by Chief Fire Officer U-turn
Wiltshire MP Brian Mathew is hailing this as a victory for community spirit
The Mayor of Bradford on Avon tells us he's delighted that the town's fire station is set to remain open, as the local MP hails a win for people's voices being heard.
The station is one of four in Wiltshire that looked set to close in order for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to balance its budget, which it must do by law.
Mere, Wilton, Ramsbury and Bradford-on-Avon were staring at losing their on-call stations, but a U-turn from Fire Chief, Andy Cole, appears to have saved them.
He's recommending Bradford's stays operational, Wilton merges with Salisbury and is proposing a wider modernisation programme.
Mayor Sam Blackwell says he's "extremely pleased" to hear that the station appears to be remaining open.
"We've had obviously huge concerns about the impact for our town and the whole area because what firefighters do here is just so crucial," he said. "We're talking about very difficult emergency situations, road traffic collisions and house fires, but there's also lots of everyday stuff which is really key, for example, helping vulnerable residents who get locked out or even locked in their premises, helping stranded livestock."
MP Brian Mathew has also welcomed the news: "From day one, I have been clear that this fire station should remain open and that the case for closure simply did not stack up.
"I want to thank every resident who took part in the consultation, attended meetings, and all those who contacted me. This shows what can be achieved when a community comes together and makes its voice heard."
The Fire and Rescue Authority will give a final decision on 30th June.
Loss of local knowledge "unthinkable"
Mayor Blackwell described the Bradford-on-Avon geography as "unique", and told us that local knowledge from fire fighters can be critical in emergency situations.
He said: "The whole area has many intricacies, which if you're coming from outside, you just simply can't know all of that. And as a town, we are relying so much on their skills and they do so much for us.
"They literally put their life on pause to attend to really serious situations, put themselves into danger. losing their capabilities and what they give to the town is just unthinkable for us."
He referenced their intervention two years ago when significant flooding saw the town essentially cut in half. These events are becoming more frequent, less predictable and more intense, meaning fire and rescue service assistance is required on a more regular basis.
"I think that's what having a fire station in the town is all about. It's an insurance policy for all of us. We really don't want to lose that," he said.
Pressure needs to be eased on public services
Fire services aren't the only public service fighting their budget balance, with Wiltshire Police among forces needing to find millions in savings.
Mayor Blackwell said we must question ourselves about the value we place on services like fire and rescue, policing and the NHS, and how we are to protect them for future generations.
"If this station were to close, the land would be sold, probably it would be built on, it's not going to come back. So really we need to be thinking years, decades ahead when we're making these difficult decisions about public services."
Brian Mathew told us that Fire Minister Samantha Dixon had told MP's that the Government understood the situation but he's stressed the need for conversations to continue to ensure that stations stay open and that their futures are safeguarded.
The Government says it is working with Fire and Rescue Services across the country to make sure they have the tools they need to act in an emergency.