Community members have pledged their support to the campaign to save Frome’s fire service from cuts, which they say could put lives, properties and firefighter safety at risk.
Residents, alongside representatives from Frome Town Council and Mendip District Council, attended a public meeting last week, hosted by Frome’s firefighters to hear how the cuts would impact the town. The proposed cuts by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service (DSFRS), could see Frome’s current service of two fire engines crewed by on-call firefighters 24-hours a day, reduced to one engine crewed 24-hours a day, and the second engine crewed only at night.
At the meeting, firefighters from the Frome service – which was the second busiest retained station in the DSFRS region out of 85 stations during April 2015 to June 2019 – discussed how having only one fire engine available between 8am to 6pm would make it difficult for the Frome service to meet minimum standard response times for emergencies set by DSFRS.
They warned that if a second engine was needed during the day it would have to come from another service such as Warminster, who would be unable to reach Frome within the minimum standard response time.
Local woman Helen Frame told Frome Times, “I’m very concerned about the timing of the closure of the second pump, because from 8am that’s rush hour around Frome, so there is more likely to be an accident – and time is of the essence in these situations.
“With a car crash or a fire occurring, you need someone there immediately, we can’t wait for fire services from other towns to come, we need people on the ground. When you put it all together – NHS cuts, police cuts locally, and now this – we’re in trouble.”
Chris Blackmore added, “I’m absolutely horrified. I’d encourage the community to have their say in the consultation, otherwise we will lose a very valuable service!”
Abby Bryant said, “If the drive is financial to make these changes, neutralising the second pump during the day doesn’t save any money, because two pumps will still need to attend accidents, and that second pump will have to come from somewhere.
“If the pump has to come from another service across county boundaries, that’s their money, and if it’s from somewhere in Somerset, then we are still paying for it. It makes no sense – it will make more problems.”
Steve Milliner said, “This is irresponsible financial management – you have an asset, the fire engine, that you are not utilising.”
One resident summed up the proposal as, “shocking!”
At the meeting, firefighters urged the public to take part in the consultation, which runs until 22nd September, and to attend a public ‘drop-in’ exhibition, hosted by DSFRS at Frome Library this Thursday 29th August, 10am to 2pm, to have their say.
One of the crew managers at Frome Fire Station, Darren Young said, “Make sure there is someone there to protect you in the future. Have your say, make your voice heard, this is your town and your fire service.”
Watch manager Phil Van Gorgh added, “Fight for what you are entitled to and get involved.”
The proposed cuts to Frome’s fire station is one of many changes put forward by DSFRS for a public consultation. Other changes proposed, which have been divided into six options, include the closure of several ‘low risk/low activity’ stations, the removal of all third engines, and removal of some second engines.
An online consultation survey is also available on the service’s website. For further information, visit: www.dsfire.gov.uk
