Fears for rural fire stations in shake-up
A Perthshire politician has said any move to shut fire stations in the region would deal a“hammer blow”to rural communities in the wake of reports some stations could face the axe.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser was reacting to reports of a leaked document suggesting stations could be closed and firefighter numbers cut so that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service can balance its budget.
Scotland’s most senior firefighter, Alasdair Hay, admitted this week that the service as it stands today is “unsustainable”and needs a “fundamental redesign”after the contents of the document were revealed.
It was reported to have said:“The Scottish Fire Service is operating against a backdrop of both significantly changing risks and the greatest financial challenges seen in decades.”
Mr Fraser said:“The vast majority of fire stations across Perth and Kinross are located in rural, hard-to-reach areas and it is vital that residents here have access to fast and safe fire and rescue services.
“There is a worrying trend developing where services, whether it be police public counters or tourist information offices, are being closed down and centralised.
“Rural residents feel marginalised and increasingly let down by the services their tax contributions deliver.
“The urban-rural divide shows no signs of closing and shutting down fire stations would be a hammer blow for many rural communities. In light of this leaked memo I would call on the SNP to commit to ensuring that fire and rescue services are retained across all of Perth and Kinross.”
Scotland’s Community Safety minister Annabelle Ewing said after the leaked report was brought up at Holyrood:“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is currently exploring how it should develop to meet the new and emerging risks facing our communities, including how transformation of service delivery could see it do more for the people of Scotland.
“No decisions have been made on what that transformation would look like and the transformation process will involve liaison and discussion with staff, partners and the public.”