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Fire service cuts: what they mean for your area

A reorganisation of Kent’s fire and rescue service to deal with funding cuts will not see any stations closed - but could mean fire fighters moved to be closer to higher risk locations during the day

Under plans for an overhaul of the service, fire chiefs say they need to find ways of balancing the changing risk around the county and falling demand at the same time as dealing with government cuts of £8m over the next four years.

The blueprint - called the Safety and Wellbeing Plan 2016-18 - says no fire stations will have to be shut but the service will examine new ways of working.

Firefighters used beaters to put out the flames. Stock picture.
Firefighters used beaters to put out the flames. Stock picture.

These include more flexible shift patterns for firefighters - which are already being introduced.

Trials are also underway to move some crews and engines closer to risk areas during the day - such as nearer to major roads so they can get to crashes as quickly as possible.

However, there is concern about the impact of changes in some areas with Canterbury set to lose one of its two fire engines.

The plan also underlines that the fire service will continue to focus on safety work to prevent fires as a priority.

Safety initiatives have helped see fire and incidents fall by half over the last decade.

Nick Chard, chairman of the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority, said:

“Our job is to keep the public safe. That is always our top priority and our firefighters continue to deliver an excellent service. However we need to provide that safe and efficient service while balancing changing local needs, falling demand - thanks to our community safety investment - and a reducing budget.”

Firefighters were called to the scene. Stock image
Firefighters were called to the scene. Stock image

Despite funding cuts, he said the service had established a good foundation to meet the challenge.

“Our previous investment in new equipment is already paying off, helping us fight fires more effectively. We are also looking at new ways of working that are more flexible and responsive to local needs. In these ways we can make the necessary savings whilst still maintaining the effective service that local people want.”

The Kent service has 75 front-line fire engines across 55 stations.Of these stations, 17 are crewed using the whole time shift system - meaning they are operational around the clock.

In the last 10 years, demand for the service has dropped significantly, from 23,899 calls in 2005 to 11,997 last year.

Here are the details of what the plans could mean for your area and how you can respond to the consultation.

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