The consultation on Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s proposed changes – including the removal of one of Stone’s two appliances – closes on Friday 22nd May. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you have your say.
There is lots more information on the Service’s proposals for Stone HERE.
[button color=”red” size=”medium” link=”https://www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/3362.asp” target=”blank” ]Click here to complete the consultation survey[/button]
Responses will be reported to the Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) in July and the Service says they will be considered when decisions are made on which options may be progressed.
Chief fire officer Peter Dartford said: “We have had a high level of engagement with our residents as well as local businesses, partners and voluntary organisations throughout the consultation period, all of which will be fed back to the Fire and Rescue Authority when members meet to discuss the proposals for the Community Safety Options. However, we are keen for as many local people as possible to put their views forward for consideration by the FRA when members make important decisions affecting the future of the Service.
“We have faced a number of challenges over the past four years and we will undoubtedly face many more in the years to come. But the options that we are considering have two strong commitments. Whatever the FRA decides, there will be no compromise to community safety and there will be no compromise the safety of our firefighters.”
A range of potential options have been put forward to help address future risks, meet expected demands and achieve financial savings targets. The Service has already saved £4 million since 2010 and will have to save an additional £5.7 million between 2015 and 2020. Public meetings and drop-in sessions have taken place around the county, including in Stone.
1 comment
Andy Osgathorpe
The consultation survey appears to be some general survey to some Fire & Rescue policies and not specific to Stone. Do there people really care about what is happening here or are they going just through the standards complaints procedure before cutting services to save money.
Here’s is part of my response:Stone fire station:
Some of the implied causation of these statics is simply not sound. You just cannot plot data and trend it and then imply causes to one or two variable. It’s just not good practice. e.g. The trend for reduced demand for appliance in general over the years being attributed to “better fire prevention” whilst might be suggested, it could in fact be related to other variables in such warmer weather requiring less electrical appliance to be switched on; It’s noticeable that peak demand for appliance occurs at meal times. I leave you to surmise why this may be the case. I would also be interested to know that whilst there is a slightly higher percentage of responses in “daylight hours” what is the percentage and number of deaths and hospitalisations in the early hours? I also note that whilst applying this general reduction in appliance attendance approach, you actually state the number of incidence where a single appliance is used is increasing.
I’m also concerned by over reliance on general statistical trends being applied to specific areas like Stone and would suggest that applying these is not good practice since Stone has it’s unique set of descriptors. You identify some of these in Stone Fire Station’s ideal location between two major conurbations and the M6 (one of the busiest motorways in Britain and position in relation to a number of notorious crash sites) with good access roads to all, but Stone also has strong service links, responsibilities and obligations with its surrounding villages and is the largest market town in the borough. What you don’t acknowledge is the vulnerability of its population e.g. Stone’s elderly is higher percentage than Borough and the national average and with up to 1000 new home being scheduled to be built in Stone over the coming years; (see Stafford Borough Plan) we simply cannot afford to get complacent about our infrastructure. The currency of your financial savings could be the lives of our residence and commuters; neither of your options is acceptable and I would prefer this splendid new Community Fire Station to be fully equipped and staffed to fully meet the needs of the community now and in the future.