Overnight fire station staffing could be axed

Wallsend Community Fire Station could be without night staff

Bosses have been urged to rethink plans to axe a North Tyneside fire station's overnight staffing.

No crews would be onsite at the Wallsend Community Fire Station between 18:00 and 08:00, if proposals unveiled last week are approved.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition pleading for the night shift to be saved, saying its removal could put lives at risk.

The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) say the station would still be staffed during the busiest time of the day.

'Effective and efficient'

A TWFRS spokesman said fire appliances from neighbouring stations in Tynemouth and Byker would respond to overnight Wallsend incidents.

He said the proposed Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2024 to 2027 would ensure the service's resources are used to manage risk to the community in the "most effective and efficient way".

The plans to remove night-shift staffing will reportedly allow a fire boat and water rescue team to be available at all times.

The spokesman suggested that the plans would not impact upon the service's response times, which are the fastest in the country for "life-risk incidents".

'Every second counts'

However, a petition lodged on change.org claims the overnight closure of the fire station will "inevitably lead to longer response times" for night-time call-outs.

It adds: "This could potentially put lives at risk as every second counts when it comes to responding to emergencies."

TWFRS was met with a similar backlash in 2021 when locals opposed plans to remove 24-hour cover from Birtley's fire station.

Former firefighter Zoe Robertson, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she fears Wallsend has a higher risk of fires breaking out overnight.

The 40-year-old said: "I understand sometimes you have to make cuts, but this affects a big area and impacts on public safety - people should know and have their say on whether they're happy about it."

More than 1,000 people have expressed concern over plans to remove the nightshift at Wallsend Community Fire Station

'Feedback welcome'

TWFRS said removing the Wallsend night shift will allow it to divert more resources to dealing with water rescues, building collapses and other large-scale incidents, and insist that the aim is "not to save money".

The spokesman said: "The CRMP represents a continued commitment to investing in our front-line resources and protecting the community the best way we can."

TWFRS is encouraging the public to read the full plan and submit feedback to the service.