By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Staffing levels at two Nottinghamshire fire stations will be reviewed four years after controversial cuts were made to crew numbers.
Ashfield and Retford fire stations are being looked at again after changes in 2018 saw staffing reduced from whole-time crews to part-time and on-call staff on night shifts.
Concerns were raised at the time that the decision could impact public safety, with Ashfield described as a “very important strategic station” in accessing various parts of the county.
More than 2,500 Ashfield residents pleaded with the Nottinghamshire Fire Authority to reconsider the move in 2018, with the plans described as “shortsighted” and concerns raised that lives could be lost.
But now a leading member of the authority, the body which oversees Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s policy and budgets, has confirmed the stations’ staffing will be reviewed this year.
It will come as part of a full-scale assessment of resources across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s fire station network, with the review to also assess whether each station has sufficient equipment to serve their communities.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), chairman of the authority’s community safety committee and leader of Ashfield District Council, announced the review during a meeting on Friday (April 1).
Cllr Zadrozny, who has sat on the fire authority since 2009 and opposed the 2018 cuts, said: “It’s safe to say my view has not personally changed on this – my preference is always for whole-time crews at Ashfield Fire Station.
“Ashfield is the largest district in Nottinghamshire by population and by housing, we have high areas of deprivation and a number of large sites like King’s Mill Hospital, chemical factories and bespoke challenges.
“I absolutely recognise the pressures of the budget, but what I want to say is my personal feeling is the crewing now is not quite right for Ashfield.
“After a number of deliberations with [fire authority] chair [Cllr Michael Payne] and the incoming chief, they have assured me of the new review taking place into crewing.
“It will be reporting back in the early autumn and we will be undertaking a full review of the crewing at Ashfield Station, to see what gaps there are, what improvements [are needed].”
He said the review will include “full consultation” with the Fire Brigade Union, staff and fire authority members, and a report is expected back in September or October this year.
But he says he appreciates it might not lead to a return of whole-time crews at either Ashfield or Retford stations, with the 2018 move saving the fire service £500,000 a year.
Ashfield Fire Station previously operated 24-hours-a-day with 26 firefighters before being reduced to 12 full-time firefighters during the day from 8am to 6pm.
The reduction means there are now no firefighters based at the station at night, relying instead on ‘on-call’ staff.
The review comes after a series of fatal fires that took place in the Ashfield district in recent weeks, and following a review that found a rise in serious fires countywide.
The fatal fire review, published by the fire service last week, found fatalities rose in the county last year with seven incidents resulting in seven deaths throughout 2021 compared to four deaths from three incidents in 2020.
And Bryn Coleman, area manager for prevention, protection and fire investigation at the fire service, said single males are the most likely victims.
Of the seven deaths in 2021, one incident took place in Nottingham city, one in Newark and Sherwood, one in Rushcliffe, two in Broxtowe and two within the Ashfield district.
Three fatalities were adult females, with the remainder being adult males. Four of the fire fatalities were over the age of 65; the youngest fatality was 53-years old, with the oldest being 85.
All of the seven victims lived alone, and all but one had underlying medical conditions, mobility impairments or mental health issues.
One fatality took place in a moving vehicle, whilst all others were within the home.
