A BITTER row has erupted after Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority agreed to launch a public consultation on proposals to close to eight fire stations.

The Fire and Rescue Association has condemned the move, warning that more than 70 firefighters could face redundancy.

FRSA chief executive officer Tristan Ashby

Chief executive officer Tristan Ashby said: “Mass redundancies have not been seen in any fire and rescue service before.

“Yet the councillors who make up Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority have set about the task of sacking their firefighters and closing stations with alacrity.

“The whole basis of this consultation is flawed. When undertaking such major changes, the fire service should have considered the impact upon the service as a whole and identified alternatives to the governance body.

“This was not done. The previous chief fire officer identified stations he wanted closed, and lo and behold, the fire authority has rubber stamped the proposals.

“Firefighters and the communities they serve will have to fight tooth and nail to preserve these fire stations.

“They can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned as we seek to stop these proposals being implemented.”

The stations under threat are Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy and Maiden Newton in Dorset, and Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton in Wiltshire.

The authority says the recommendations follow three years of analysis examining all 50 stations in the service, using data from 2019–2024 to assess activity levels, response performance, financial implications, risk and alternative cover.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service chief fire officer Andy Cole

Chief fire officer Andy Cole said: “This financial pressure reflects a long-term reduction in central government funding for fire and rescue services, combined with rising costs that sit largely outside our control, such as the addition of National Insurance and pay award costs, as well as a below national average council tax contribution.

“As such, we must find ways to address the forecast deficits and ensure we are sustainable in the future. We’ve looked very carefully at all the facts to make sure we’re doing the right thing with the money and people we have.

“I truly believe these proposals will help better resource the service and save money, whilst still achieving the level of support our communities expect of us.”

The consultation runs from February 13 to May 15, with public meetings planned before a final decision on June 30.