Hundreds sign petition against fire service cuts

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Service said it was facing "financial challenges"

A petition protesting a £1.6 million cut to "frontline" fire and rescue services has gathered hundreds of signatures.

Launched by Fire Brigades Union (FBU) regional secretary Mark Chapman, the online appeal says the proposed cut to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) risked "pushing a service already on its knees into critical failure".

HIWFRS said it was facing "financial challenges" but that community safety would always be the priority.

It is currently running a consultation into the changes planned for the Isle of Wight, which closes on 29 July.

The changes include closing two fire stations in Bembridge and Yarmouth, and removing the Aerial Ladder Platform in Newport.

Mr Chapman's petition, which has so far gained 480 signatures, said that years of cuts had left fire services across the country "dangerously under-resourced".

"In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, this has already resulted in shortages of firefighters and fire engines," it read.

Mr Chapman said: "In an industry where every second counts, this continued degradation in resources and people trained to respond poses a significant risk to local communities."

Rob Cole, assistant chief fire officer at HIWFRS, said safety was the top priority and they "carefully reviewed our community risk levels against our resources" when developing the proposals.

He said financial challenges meant the service had "no choice but to find ways to make savings".

"But we will always seek to do that in a way that ensures we can continue to reduce risk and respond to emergencies as quickly and as effectively as we can," he said.

"We welcome views on the proposed changes and are engaging with our firefighters, staff and the unions on all our proposals."

The BBC has approached the government for comment.