By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Ashfield Fire Station is understood to return to 24-hour cover on November 29.
In 2018, Nottinghamshire Fire Authority removed full-time crewing in favour of on-call only cover at night, in a move criticised by local politicians and residents.
In July, the authority approved plans to reinstate the 24-hour crew cover at the station in Sutton Road.
Firefighters from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will be moved from other stations to facilitate the plans.
The fire service says the move will reduce call out attendance times from the station by 48 seconds on average.
An internal email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service says the station will return to full-time cover on November 29 at 7am.
Ashfield Council Leader Jason Zadrozny, who campaigned for the return of 24-hour cover, said the move would save lives.
He said: “We’ll bring the bunting. People told us this was a fight we wouldn’t win – but win we have.
“Reopening our fire station full-time will save lives, it will cut fire response times and we’ve kept yet another promise to residents across Ashfield.
“From Kirkby to Huthwaite, from Selston, Stanton Hill and Sutton, residents can sleep at night knowing they have fire-fighters who can get to them quicker.
“We’d like to thank Ashfield residents, they stood with us every step of the way.
“November 29 is a red letter day and we’re so pleased to have won the campaign for a full-time fire station that will save lives.”
But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) raised concerns over the proposals, due to the “greater number of occasions” where fire engines are crewed by four firefighters instead of five.
One member of the union said the plans would lead to “serious and dangerous shortfalls in the crewing of other appliances”.
As part of the plans, four firefighters will be promoted at a cost of £36,000 – but the FBU says this will remove staff from fire engines.
