Closing four fire stations in Wiltshire ‘will put lives at risk’, according to a firefighter.
Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton stations are likely to shut in cost cutting plans set out by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Firefighters at the stations affected by the potential closures were reportedly informed on 21 January – with crews “devastated” by the news.
The stations are crewed by on-call (retained) firefighters, who give up their own time to respond to 999 calls in their communities.
A source told Wiltshire 999s: “This will create massive holes in the services cover and put lives at risk, increase call times to all impacted areas and surrounding.
“Stations had no idea they were due to close and were informed yesterday evening.
“This is a huge loss to local communities and for the dedicated, hard working individuals that have given so much to keep these stations crewed, everyone is devastated by the news.”
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