Fire service names eight fire stations under threat of closure in Dorset and Wiltshire
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has informed firefighters of proposals to close eight fire stations across the county as part of a series of cuts that the Fire Brigades Union has warned will put lives at risk. Public meetings are being held for people to share their views on the proposed closure of eight on-call fire stations in Dorset and Wiltshire.
As part of cost-saving proposals, four Dorset stations have been earmarked for closure – Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy and Maiden Newton. In Wiltshire, Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton are also under threat.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is holding meetings in all affected towns and villages, as well as online sessions, to go through the details and impact of the proposed closures.
The series of meetings runs until late April and forms part of a public consultation running until 15 May. A final decision on the stations is expected on 30 June.
The fire service said its proposed list of stations to close was based on data from the last six years – including how busy the station was, how fast and how often the station could respond to incidents and how other nearby stations could respond instead. Firefighters at on-call fire stations live or work near the station and respond when alerted.
DWFRS has said the latest financial settlement from the government is not enough for the service to continue operating as it currently does.
It said it had a projected budget shortfall of £1.2m in 2026–27, £1.5m in 2027–28 and £1.7m in 2028–29.
If all eight proposed stations were closed, the fire service said it had calculated savings of £1.5m annually.
For more information please visit website Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue website.