Cash shortage means fire stations may shut 7/2/12
Some fire stations may be forced to shut to divert cash into paying for essential training for firefighters.
Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service will debate the dilemma at an urgent meeting later this month.
An extra £1.2 million is required to train firemen, particularly at the smaller volunteer stations to “address the urgent training needs required to deliver firefighter safety.”
Cost cutting also means the fire service would be restructured.
It faces raiding its reserves to pay for training amid claims that nearly 90% of
its 1400-
MSP Alasdair Allan has written to the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Mr Trevor Johnson, over the issue.
Alasdair Allan commented: “The Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service provides an essential service in the area and it is a service that the community values very much.
“We need a clearer picture of where the Chief Fire Officer believes there are training gaps in the service and how he intends to meet these. However, this shouldn’t come at a cost of closing stations; not least because the geography of the islands means that most stations are already some distance apart.
“Everyone needs to work together to ensure that any training gaps are filled, and that both full time and retained fire stations across the Highlands and Islands get the support they need.
“I have asked Mr Johnson for a meeting to seek reassurances about these issues and will continue to raise any concerns which individual communities may have. I am hopeful that there is a way through this issue, which I have already raised with Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham.”