Firefighters have hit out at potentially ‘catastrophic’ plans to switch to a ‘day-only’ model at the station closest to Stepping Hill Hospital. Crews at Offerton Fire Station, in Stockport, say the proposals are ‘totally unacceptable’ and would result in longer response times - particularly during the morning and evening ‘rush hour’
It comes after Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) launched a consultation on a new ‘day-crewing’ system that would mean the Lisburne Lane station would only be operational between 8.30am and 6pm. Bosses say these changes - together with similar proposals for Sale - would release around £1.1million that could be reinvested in other priority areas such as prevention and more fire engines at other locations.
They add that the move would mean the station would still respond to incidents that pose the greatest threat to life - such as house fires and car crashes - within 10 minutes. But firefighters based at Offerton - one of four ‘whole-time’ stations in the borough - have issued a statement strongly opposing the proposals.
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They say there would be a minimum delay of five minutes - but this is likely to be nearer to 10 minutes at peak times when traffic congestion is at its worst. One of their ‘biggest concerns’ is that the station is the nearest to Stepping Hill Hospital.
It reads: “Any fire at night would mean a delay of at least five minutes for Stockport town centre’s appliance to attend. Whilst statistics will show the majority of incidents we attend there are false alarms, I would remind you of the devastating impacts that a fire in a large hospital can have.”
