Public, stakeholders and workforce set to have say on plans to create new fire crew

Gloucestershire County Council’s Cabinet is set to approve an eight-week public consultation at their meeting on July 22.

The consultation would ask the public, stakeholders and workforce for their views on proposals to redeploy existing resources into creating a wholetime day-crewed model in Cinderford. This would strengthen fire cover in the Forest of Dean and make the best use of existing resources across the county.

The proposals are based on independent analysis and data modelling which concluded that providing a day crew at Cinderford would deliver significant operational and community safety benefits. These would include faster response times, increased fire prevention work and a stronger presence in the community.

Data modelling has shown that due to a combination of overlapping response coverage, the proximity of neighbouring stations and lower overnight demand, resources would be better placed as Cinderford during the day, rather than Cheltenham West during the night.

Cheltenham West would retain a wholetime day crew under the plans and Cheltenham East remains as 24 hour cover.

If approved, the consultation will run during August and September, giving local people, firefighters, staff, community groups and businesses the opportunity to share their views before any final decision is made by Cabinet later this year. The feedback received will help shape final recommendations.

The proposals also respond to financial pressures facing Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service. As part of the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy, the service is required to deliver savings of £827,000 over the next four years. The recommended option would achieve these savings by redeploying existing resources rather than creating new posts, allowing investment to be focused where it can have the greatest impact.

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “These proposals are about making sure our resources are aligned to where risk, demand and community need are greatest.

“Independent modelling shows there are opportunities to improve response times and increase prevention activity in the Forest of Dean, while continuing to provide effective fire cover across the county.

“We want to hear from the people of Gloucestershire before any decisions are taken, and I would encourage everyone with an interest in these proposals to take part in the consultation.”

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, said: “This is an opportunity for people across Gloucestershire to have their say on proposals that could shape the future of our fire and rescue service.

“We know these proposals could bring real benefits to Cinderford and the wider Forest of Dean through improved response times, greater community fire safety activity and resources that are better aligned to local need.

“At the same time, we must ensure the service can meet the financial savings it has been asked to deliver while continuing to protect our communities. That is why hearing directly from local people will be so important.”

Subject to Cabinet approval, details of how to take part in the consultation will be published ahead of its launch in August.