Fire service is at real risk (From Gazette Series)

Fire service is at real risk

GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S fire chief has launched an urgent appeal for new firefighters to try to overcome a dire staffing situation that is posing a real threat to the future of stations in Wotton-under-Edge and Dursley.

Retained crews in both towns have been severely diminished over the last few years and new firefighters are desperately being sought.

Chief fire officer Peter Jones is leading the appeal for firefighters.

He said: "We are in need of community firefighters," he said. "In particular we need people who can provide emergency response cover between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

"Candidates must be able to pass a physical and medical examination and live or work within five minutes travel of the fire station."

Concern over staffing levels was raised last year when the Gazette reported Wotton fire station was operating at 40 percent below full strength.

Station commander Chris Young said this week the situation had not improved.

"To say the town is desperate for new firefighters is an understatement," said Mr Young. "We will continue to turn out for as long as possible but there may well come a time when we just won't be able to. I am sure the people of Wotton would be alarmed to hear their fire service is under threat."

Despite two major recruitment drives in the last couple of years no new recruits have joined the force.

Currently ten fighters work part-time at the station but work and family commitments mean the number can be severely reduced. Four new firefighters are needed to bring the crew t full strength.

"The main problem is work commitments," added Mr Young. "The majority of people living in the town travel out to work leaving only a small minority here."

He added that he would be willing to talk to anyone living in Wotton or nearby Kingswood who can give any amount of time.

"I am happy to talk to anyone no matter how much or how little time they can give," he said. "Whether they can work evenings, weekends or daytimes any hours would be brilliant."

Dursley's fire chief, Graham Ponting, said the service is experiencing similar recruitment problems.

"We are having major problems recruiting new firefighters," said Mr Ponting. "The main factor in the falling numbers in Dursley is the lack of local employment. With the large employers moving out of the town people are having to go elsewhere to work so are not available for cover."

Mr Ponting has worked for the Dursley service for 23 years. He was due to retire last year but was asked to stay because of the lack of new firefighters.

"There has been a major decrease in the number of new recruits since I started," he said. "The most noticeable decline is during the daytime. With the new developments in the town hopefully there will be a resurgence of employment. But this is not a short-term solution."

Currently three firefighters are needed in Dursley and new recruits can work flexible hours.

Anyone interested in joining the Wotton crew should call in to the Symn Lane station during weekly training on Wednesdays (7-9pm) or contact Chris Young on 07814 639659.

Prospective Dursley recruits are asked to visit the station in Castle street on Thursday evenings (7-9pm) or call Graham Ponting on 01453 542424.