Residents are being asked for our views on significant changes to the way the Fire Service runs. The public consultation on the GMFRS Programme for Change Outline Business will run until May 31.
You can give your views on the plan at www.gmconsult.org.
The public are being consulted with on two specific areas, these are:
- Proposal to merge six fire stations into three new ones (in Bolton, Manchester and Stockport).
- Proposal to remove the ‘second fire engine’ from 8 Fire Stations. (None of which are in Bury, or the Broughton Fire station which serves Prestwich.)
Like all fire services, Greater Manchester is continuing to have make savings because of financial pressures. These proposals will ensure that the service is on the right financial footing to be able to continue to serve the people of Greater Manchester.
The recommended option would reduce the fire service as follows
NOW
41 Fire Stations
56 Fire Engines
1246 Firefighter posts
IN THREE YEARS
– 38 Fire Stations
– 47 Fire Engines
– 1052 Firefighter posts
To find out more about the proposals and read the full Outline Business Case, click here. The press release announcing the proposals can be found here.
Please do also let us know what you think about these changes so we can represent you best at a Greater Manchester level.
Greater Manchester Fire Service has been much reduced over the past 15 years or so, and looking at the figures provided, the proposed plan is simply another worrying reduction in it’s provision. I fail to understand how ridding of so many local fire stations can provide a safe. localised emergency (and other) service to the public. In addition, how many job losses will this involve, and at what cost to fire fighters working conditions?