An MP in Swindon has praised the hard work of Wiltshire's fire service as it faces ongoing cuts and 'financial challenges.'
MP for Swindon South Heidi Alexander visited the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service at its Drove Road station in Swindon on Friday, September 27.
Having met the staff and received a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at the station, Ms Alexander said she was "blown away" by the dedication of the team.
Emphasising its importance in the town, she added: "The Fire Service goes above and beyond its statutory duties to keep us safe.
"A huge thank you to everyone at the station for your vital work protecting our community."
"I was blown away by the professionalism and dedication of the team: the full-time firefighters who watch through the night to keep us safe; and the on-call staff who drop everything to respond to emergencies at a moment's notice."
But the visit only hammered home the importance of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service's presence in the county, as the service is continuing to experience cuts.
The service announced earlier in September that as of April 2025, fire engines will be removed from Marlborough and Corsham in Wiltshire, and Sturminster Newton and Wareham in Dorset, leaving these four stations with only one fire engine each.
The cuts come after the fire service admits it is facing “significant financial challenges”.
Three more stations (Sherborne, Portland and Wimborne) are also earmarked to lose fire engines in the future too - depending on a financial review in January 2025.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service say this decision has not been taken lightly and comes after detailed data analysis of seven on-call stations.
Although Swindon's stations are yet to be affected, the fire service is continuing to look at where it can make cuts and reinvestments in other areas.
A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service said: “As with many public sector organisations, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service are facing significant financial challenges, and we have a programme of work in place to make sure we are sustainable for the future.
“Following a comprehensive fire cover review, we are looking at the position, the number and type of our resources to make sure they are in the right place based on community needs.
“Whilst the data suggests that the removal of some fire engines is the right thing to do, this is also a programme of work that includes some reinvestment and will enable us to improve fire cover by increasing the number of whole-time firefighter post from on-call only to on-call and whole-time.
“All changes will take effect by April 2025.”
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