Campaign to fight fire station cutbacks

SUPPORTERS of Birchwood firefighters are expected to turn out in force today [Feb 2] when a consultation meeting takes place over planned cutbacks.
The proposed bid to save £400,000 by downgrading the fire station has been slammed by firefighters and local residents who fear lives will be put at risk.
Under the new scheme the number of firefighters based at the station would drop from 24 to 14 who would work over two shift patterns during the day.
Night cover would be provided by part time staff from home or work – who could be up to five minutes away.
But fire bosses argue that Birchwood is the ‘quietest’ of all the 24/7 stations in Cheshire and that it needs to make the best use of its limited resources.
A public consultation meeting will take place at Birchwood fire station today at 2pm to discuss the proposed changes, which could take effect from January 2011.
Warrington MP Helen Jones has joined the fight to stop the changes. She said: “A few minutes can save lives when there is a serious fire yet we are being told that, at night, we would only have part-time firefighters on call.
“Not only does this put residents more at risk but it will mean that motorway accidents will not be dealt with as quickly.
“The firefighters at Birchwood provide an excellent service to the community, not only in fighting fires but in fire prevention and community service. I have seen their work for myself and I believe they are being treated shabbily.”