Skip to content

Plans to increase fire cover set for approval

Published
Plans to approve an increase in fire cover in line with risk and demand across the county are set to be discussed in a report going to Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet next week (4 December).

The preferred proposal would see a new day staffed community fire station in Cinderford to meet the risk and demand profile of the county, providing an increase of 14 firefighters (including crew and watch managers). Funding would be dependent on budget agreement at cabinet in January.

The changes to fire cover in Cinderford would improve attendance times to incidents not only in Cinderford, but across the Forest Dean. The introduction of a new day staffed fire station would also offer increased resilience in the area and ensure fire crews are immediately available during the day, which is when the majority of fire calls are received in the area.

The report includes the results of a public consultation that took place between 18 March to 9 June 2024 to ensure that it heard the views and feedback of Gloucestershire communities, workforce and stakeholders on the proposal. As part of the steps to increase fire cover in line with risk and demand, they also consulted on potential changes to shift patterns.

The proposals are for a new day staff duty system at Cinderford and adjustments to the Wholetime shift patterns, to meet the priorities of the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2022–2026, that could improve the ability to have the right people, in the right place to respond to emergencies and increase prevention and community safety initiatives; as well as benefit the health and safety of firefighters.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) wants to ensure it keeps communities safe through reviewing its resources to meet its priorities outlined in its Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2022-2026.

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer, said: “We continually assess how we best serve the communities of Gloucestershire. After reviewing the modelling and available data in accordance with our CRMP 2022-2026 priorities followed by a 12-week consultation we are asking to increase our fire and rescue response. We are seeking approval to increase our workforce by 14 firefighters to staff a day crewed station in Cinderford and change the shift pattern.

“We want to ensure we have the right people, in the right place, at the right time to provide emergency response, community prevention and safety needs across the county.”

Cllr Dave Norman, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “After a public consultation that sought the public’s, workforce and stakeholders’ views, the Fire and Rescue Service is asking to increase fire cover, which includes a change to shift patterns.

“We believe that a day staffed fire station in Cinderford with 14 extra firefighters will ensure the Fire and Rescue Service continues to keep our communities safe and we would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation.”

You can read the full cabinet report here.