Campaigners disappointed by decision over fire station rescue services

CAMPAIGNERS have expressed their disappointment about the decision to ‘downgrade’ water rescue services at local fire stations, which they say will put lives in danger.

At a meeting last week, the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority voted in favour of proceeding with plans to relocate its technical rescue units – that respond to “Level 3” rescue incidents in fast flowing water – from Trowbridge and Chippenham Fire Stations to stations in Swindon and Dorset.

The decision was made despite objections raised by residents, Melksham Town Council and local MP Michelle Donelan.

Melksham Town Councillors had highlighted that the changes could increase response times to “major” flooding incidents in Melksham from 12 minutes up to an hour and a half.

And campaigners warned that the relocation of the technical rescue units could “put lives in danger” – both residents and firefighters.

Trowbridge and Chippenham Fire Stations will still have “Level 2” water rescue capability, which involves assisting people trapped in vehicles and homes in flood water.

In response to the decision, one campaigner told Melksham News, “Unfortunately, the decision to go with ‘option 1’ will ultimately mean that our firefighters will now not have the Level 3 response needed to attend incidents. Expecially with West Wiltshire having the biggest fast flowing risks to our firefighters and citizens with the River Avon. 

“With the Level 3 response being taken away, with our firefighters then only having a Level 2 response, it will put lives in danger. 

“This was also noted yesterday (11th February) by a local member who is a councillor and a member of the board. Then a former watch manager’s message was read out by another councillor, with the dangers of this option. 

“While I understand the need for budget cost cuttings. I firmly belive this wasn’t the area, the River Avon is no joke and one which any rescue wouldn’t be able to wait the 60 minutes needed for the Level 3 response in which the firefighters would then have the tools for rescue. It’s unfortunate that ‘option 1’ has been taken, and I severely hope that no-one is injured or worse as a result of this.”

An online petition against the changes was supported by over 300 people. 

“The petition that was set up was created by a firefighter’s family due to the dangers,” said the campaigner. “If firefighters can see the dangers, then there’s a, issue when others higher up cannot see it.

“I give my greatest thanks to all firefighters, who risk their lives on a daily basis.”

In response to the changes, a new petition has been launched, calling on the fire authority to rethink its decision.

The petition says, “Our local firefighters will face the dangerous decision of whether to attempt to rescue people without the correct equipment rather than wait an hour for backup to arrive. This is a dreadful position to put our firefighters in.”

Explaining the decision, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s area manager, Andy Cole, told Melksham News, “At its meeting on 11th February, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority considered a paper outlining options to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service’s technical rescue capabilities.

“Currently, five stations across the service provide technical rescue capabilities that includes large animal rescue, water rescue, working at height and bariatric support to the ambulance service. These stations currently have different combinations of technical rescue capabilities and with staff on different duty systems and with different vehicles; an arrangement which is not as effective as it could be.

“The service has undertaken a comprehensive service-wide review of how the range of technical rescue capabilities are deployed, with the intention of making them more efficient and effective. The review involved looking at a wealth of evidence and talking things through with staff and their representative bodies. These options were considered by elected members on the Fire and Rescue Authority.

“Based on this comprehensive review, the authority made a democratic decision to align technical rescue capabilities across the service area, by establishing three consistent technical rescue teams. These teams will deliver the full range of technical capabilities and back up stations who provide the first line of response. These teams will be crewed by firefighters at Poole, Stratton (in Swindon) and Weymouth fire stations, providing an opportunity to better align operational resources to current and future risk and provide better operational coverage than the existing arrangements.

“As part of this, it was also decided to maintain water rescue capabilities at Bradford on Avon, Bridport, Chippenham, Christchurch, Malmesbury, Salisbury, Sturminster Newton and Trowbridge to allow for rescues where people are trapped in vehicles and homes in flood water.

“Members also noted that, should significant widespread flooding occur, then the service, like it does for other major incidents, is able to draw upon mutual aid arrangements from other fire and rescue services.”

To view the new petition against the changes, visit www.change.org/p/dorset-and-wiltshire-fire-authority-rethink-the-decision-to-remove-flood-rescue-equipment-from-wiltshire