Fire cuts plan suspended (From Western Telegraph)

Fire cuts plan suspended

A PROPOSAL to withdraw 24-hour cover from Haverfordwest Fire Station has been temporarily shelved.

It has been suspended pending the outcome of investigations into the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority's integrated risk management plan by Welsh Assembly Minister Edwina Hart.

The review is due in November.

Local AM, Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey organised a meeting of fire chiefs and Haverfordwest mayor and town councillors recently to discuss the proposed staff reduction.

Current plans will reduce the number of full time firefighters from 40 to 28. The plan had proposed further reductions to 14 and changing 24-hour staffing to 'day crewing'.

The AM has called for the reduction to 28 to be put on hold.

She is meeting the minister to discuss Pembrokeshire's unique needs.

Said Tamsin Dunwoody-Kneafsey: "The meeting was very useful and open. We stressed the vital role of firefighters in road accidents, which are on the increase in Pembrokeshire.

"Our remoteness and the number of roads we have make fire and rescue provision even more critical to ensure that rapid response."

The current LNG developments and future power stations could also have a crucial impact. She said: "As the emerging energy centre of Wales, we are in a unique position.

"Fire safety and planning must be a balance of prevention and response.

"We have very skilled firefighters, who provide us with peace of mind and a dedicated service.

"Being on the spot when needed ensures that rapid response is met."