Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service closes headquarters

The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service has been based at Elm Tree House for 11 years

The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service has announced it will close its headquarters in Onchan as it aims to save £221,200 over the next 12 months.

From April the service will relocate to offices in the Department of Home Affairs premises in Douglas.

Chief Fire Officer Brian Draper said that he did not "envisage the closure of any fire stations on the island" as a result of the savings.

Three jobs will be lost through the restructuring and move to Douglas.

The Fire and Rescue Service has already made savings of £266,000 in the current financial year, according to department figures.

Mr Draper said: "The Fire and Rescue Service will continue to be resourceful in meeting these challenges and maintaining high standards of service delivery."

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: "This year's budget spelt out a need for tough decisions to be made in order to rebalance the public finances.

"There are some difficult decisions to be made in terms of what services are core and what's optional and how we afford that in the future.

"The public can have every confidence in the continued delivery of first-rate service."