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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Emotional scenes as firefighters wave goodbye to old fire station
Serving and retired firefighters came together for a final parade at Stockport's old central fire station. Crews have now moved out of Stockport Community Fire Station ahead of work beginning on its 'state-of-the-art' replacement. The building on King Street West - between the town centre and Edgeley -is being demolished and rebuilt as part of a £6m project. Fire service bosses initially wanted to close the station, along with Whitehill station in Reddish, and merge them into one new station. READ MORE: Friends left stunned at Manchester Airport after landing £24,000 in terminal READ MORE: 'What happened to my wife was horrendous - the person responsible needs to come forward' But the large amount of redevelopment in the borough, particularly in and around the town centre, meant fire service chiefs were unable to find an affordable and suitable new site for the proposed new station. In November 2022 it was announced they would be retaining both and spending £6m on each, rebuilding them. The Stockport station is being done first. Crews working there have been relocated to Whitehill. The Manchester branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) posted on Facebook on Tuesday saying: "Today Stockport fire station closed its doors for the last time. "Crews will be working from Whitehill station whilst the old station at Stockport is demolished and the new one is built. Firefighters and retired Firefighters came together this morning for the last ever parade." The new building is expected to be ready for firefighters to move into next September. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) insists there will be no reduction in the number of fire engines or firefighters during the rebuild, and say they are 'absolutely confident that we will continue to provide our excellent emergency response'. "Firefighters will continue their usual duties in and around Stockport's station area, including prevention activities, school visits and training," they added. Sarah Nattrass, Aassistant chief fire officer, said: 'Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service apologises for any delay residents have felt in us providing an update to our plans for Stockport fire station. "We understand that any visible change in our arrangements can bring uncertainties and worries. 'The state-of-the-art fire station is set to be delivered in Autumn next year and will provide the community with a modern, flexible, resilient fire and rescue service. 'A public consultation was first undertaken in Spring 2023 to make sure the plans developed were in tune with the needs of the local community. Further details and updates have been available on our website throughout the process. 'I also want to reassure residents that there will be no reduction in the amount of fire engines or firefighters in the area during the rebuild process, with crews moving to nearby Whitehill station. "This decision has been taken after extensive data analysis and we are absolutely confident that we will continue to provide our excellent emergency response both within the immediate area around Stockport King Street West Fire Station and across the wider borough of Stockport. 'I am committed to providing our local community opportunities to hear directly from us as the construction of the new community fire station, which will bring lasting benefits to the borough, progresses.'
STV News
3 days ago
- General
- STV News
Fire service cuts and station closures could cost lives, says union
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that closing up to a dozen stations in Scotland could 'cost lives'. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRS) is proposing to close up to 13 stations and introduce new arrangements for night and weekend cover. Five city fire stations – two in Edinburgh, two in Glasgow and one in Dundee – had been identified as potential closures or mergers because of low demand, or because they are close to other facilities that SFRS said could provide effective cover. The service set out 23 different options for change across Scotland, which it says is needed to match staff, stations and resources to 'operational risk and demand'. The proposals, which cover 14 different local authorities and involve more than 30 fire stations, also include plans to repair or rebuild stations in some areas. Some staff and vehicles could also be transferred to 'more effective' locations. The service said eight stations slated for closure have been 'long-dormant' due to recruitment difficulties for on-call firefighters in rural locations. Proposals also include implementing a daily shift pattern for firefighters in some areas, supported by on-call firefighters outwith these times. The creation of a 'nucleus crew' in two locations – Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire – is also being proposed which could be deployed 'tactically'. Permanent solutions are also being proposed following the temporary withdrawal of ten appliances in 2023, including in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and Glasgow. The consultation will remain open for 12 weeks, with the SFRS saying it wants 'as many people as possible' to submit their views on the proposed changes. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says the service is 'already on its knees' after a decade of what it calls real-terms cuts. FBU Scottish secretary John McKenzie said: 'Our members and the Scottish public have suffered more than enough cuts to the fire service. 'For over a decade, real-terms budget cuts have increased risks to public safety, with firefighter numbers slashed and response times increasing as a result. 'The service is already on its knees because of these cuts. That has led to increases in response times and when this time is lost, tragically lives will also be lost. 'This is unacceptable and any proposals to further compromise our service and public safety must be rejected. 'What we need instead is more, not less, investment that takes into account new and emerging threats that our services and our members are having to deal with on a day-to-day basis. 'We need funding that enhances and improves public safety rather than worsening it.' The SFRS said any changes would only be made if they ensured safety. Stuart Stevens, SFRS chief officer, said: 'I absolutely recognise the concerns that people will have because these are significant changes that we're proposing, but let me be clear – any changes we will make will only be done if it ensures the safety of the community of Scotland. 'This is a really important step for the organisation to make sure that the service is fit for Scotland's future.' The Scottish Government's community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: 'The emergencies the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) responds to have changed, with fewer house fires and more wildfire and flooding incidents. 'It is right, then, that the service considers how to adapt to the changing risks to remain effective and efficient, with firefighters in the right place at the right time to ensure people and communities are protected.' She urged people to take part in the consultation 'so their voices are heard', but stressed: 'As ever, keeping communities safe will remain the SFRS's top priority, supported by substantial year-on-year budget increases from the Scottish Government.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Deputy PM Angela Rayner faces calls to pay back money she took from militant fire union
DEPUTY PM Angela Rayner took money from the militant Fire Brigades Union — and is now the chief fire minister. She faces calls to pay back the £1,000 to avoid a perceived conflict of interest. Ms Rayner, whose Cabinet brief covers housing and local government, accepted the cash in June 2024. It was not published on her MP's register of interests as it is beneath the £1,500 threshold. But it was unearthed after a request to view all her donations under the Representation of People Act. Tory shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: 'As the minister overseeing the fire service, this dodgy deal reeks of a shady quid pro quo. 'To avoid even the perception of a conflict of interest, Angela Rayner must now commit to not taking any more FBU money and repay what she's had.' Ms Rayner's department was put in charge of the fire service in April. The deputy PM also leads on trade union policy in government. She has since torn up rules which made the fire service continue to lay on a minimum service during strikes. The FBU praised that decision. A Ministry of Housing spokesman said: 'The donation of June 21, 2024, made before the Deputy PM was in government, has been declared to the department in the usual way.' He did not say if Ms Rayner would return it or whether she would take any more FBU cash. Angela Rayner says lifting 2-child benefit cap not 'silver bullet' for ending poverty after demanding cuts for millions 1
BBC News
20-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Safety fears raised over Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire cuts
Proposed cuts of up to £1.6m to a fire and rescue service would "undermine safety" for both firefighters and the public, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has proposed savings measures including reducing the number of fire engines and closing stations on the Isle of FBU has launched an online petition opposing the changes, with southern regional chairman Dave Hunt calling on the fire authority to "stop these cuts immediately".The service said it was facing "financial challenges" but would still respond to emergencies "as quickly and as effectively as we can". As part of the savings, less frequently used fire engines at four on-call stations - Romsey Waterlooville, Petersfield and Lymington - would be a new specialist rescue vehicle and fire vehicle would lead to a reduction of 20 staff at Cosham and Redbridge stations, although there will be no redundancies, HIWFRS month it unveiled plans to combine Yarmouth and Freshwater fire stations, which would mean two fire engines could operate in the west of the Isle of are also proposals to stop operational responses from Bembridge fire Isle of Wight plans are open to public consultation until the end of Cole, assistant chief fire officer, said in developing its savings proposals, the service had "carefully reviewed our community risk levels against our resources".He said: "The costs of delivering our services have outpaced the funding we receive. "Without an increase in government funding, fire and rescue services have no choice but to find ways to make savings, but we will always seek to do that in a way that ensures we can continue to reduce risk and respond to emergencies as quickly and as effectively as we can." 'Increase response times' The National Fire Chiefs Council recently criticised "prolonged disinvestment in fire and rescue services over many years".Many fire services also faced a shortfall in funding after the government failed to give them the same level of compensation for tax increases as the police, BBC research a meeting of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority, Mr Hunt said the service was already "losing resilience"."If implemented, these cuts will increase response times," he said."Ultimately we're undermining both public and firefighter safety - as firefighters, we need to know we have the right number of people when we turn up."He called for a "full and detailed review" of HIWFRS' current work and roles and said the service should "put safety first and stop these cuts".The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said fire and rescue Authorities have received almost £3bn in the last financial year."We understand the challenges that fire services are facing, and despite the inheritance this government has been left with, we are determined to deliver better public services through our Plan for Change," it added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Essex fire service spent £781k covering staff shortages in 2024
Covering staffing shortages cost a fire service £781,000 in 2024, the BBC can County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) moved firefighters from their usual stations to elsewhere in the county 3,876 staffing crisis was "exhausting" crews and left the service "on the brink", the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) McLellan, ECFRS' head of response, said shipping staff across the county meant the public were best protected. The fire service spent £781,755 on moving appliances in 2024, a sharp rise from £350,011 in obtained by the BBC, via a Freedom of Information request, revealed back-up cover for major stations was being called for 11 times a day on Mr McLellan insisted the numbers had risen because ECFRS changed the way it recorded movements. Crews have been asked to travel across Essex to cover their colleagues, making journeys such as Coggeshall to Dovercourt and Waltham Abbey to firefighters were paid for each call-out, with the service spending £75,000 in were 417 movements in July, 384 in October and 372 in August. 'Shocking figures' Richard Maddams, the FBU secretary for Essex, said: "ECFRS is continuing attempts to paper over the cracks of a service on the brink."Instead of addressing this crisis in understaffing, firefighters are being forced to travel large distances to cover areas that simply don't have enough crews. "This is exhausting a workforce that is already overworked and underpaid, fuelling issues with recruitment and retention."He said despite assurances from management, the "shocking figures" showed the problem was its most recent inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, ECFRS was told it must do more to improve the availability of its the year 2019-2020, there was an average of 10 crews a month unavailable - but by 2022-2023 it had almost doubled to 19. Mr McLellan said the service was in the middle of a major recruitment drive and he would "make no apologies" for moving staff in the interim."We will continue to make movements to best protect the county," he said. "The days of one crew staying in the same area are over."Many small businesses could no longer afford to release employees during the day so they could work for fire services, Mr McLellan said the £781,755 would be spent on wages once ECFRS finished recruiting across its 50 if he agreed crews were exhausted, Mr McLellan said: "I'm not getting that feedback, no more than I did last year."He said no-one was forced to work outside their working hours and all firefighters were given adequate breaks.A new system was allowing people to sign up for more overtime, rather than leave it to those who did not want to, Mr McLellan added."We do have people who want to do more hours, but we also have those who find it a challenge," he said. "At the moment we don't have the ability to identify those people ahead of time." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
