A Knaresborough man has launched a campaign to stop four firefighters stationed in Harrogate losing their jobs in April.
Neil Smith, 55, said “people’s lives are at risk” because of the cuts, which will see the number of nighttime fire engines based in Harrogate from two to one.
The job losses, which are expected to save £210,000, are part of plans by Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to put greater emphasis on fire prevention.
The Stray Ferret revealed the news earlier this month, which prompted Mr Smith to set up the Facebook group Community Action Group Harrogate/Knaresborough/Ripon in the hope of rallying others who opposed the changes.
Mr Smith told the Stray Ferret he had a meeting scheduled with Ms Metcalfe next month.
He said:
“I want to know where her head is at. She is putting people’s lives at risk doing this.
“There were several fire engines at the scene following the incident at Bettys this week, one even from Tadcaster, so what will we do in those kinds of situations when there’s less firemen and less fire engines?”
Mr Smith also said he was considering a protest outside Harrogate Fire Station to “make a stance” against the decision. He added:
“The Facebook group currently has 82 members, which is good, but I want to get to 100 before putting the idea of a protest forward.
“Nothing is planned yet but I won’t be holding back.”
He said new housing developments in the area could “bring thousands of new residents and an increased demand for the fire service”. He added:
“I’m doing this because I feel there is going to be a lack of services.
“This is the power of the people. I strongly urge people to get behind me on this.”
The Stray Ferret revealed in 2022 that Ms Metcalfe planned to shed frontline firefighting jobs as part of her 2022 to 2025 Risk and Resource model, which outlined how the service would deploy its resources.
Scarborough is also due to lose four firefighters next year, which will save another £215,000.
A further seven posts for what are described as “operational staffing reserves” will also be lost in April 2025, saving a further £375,000.
The changes at Harrogate Fire Station
Harrogate Fire Station currently has one fire engine, which can respond to all callouts, and a smaller tactical response vehicle – both of which operate day and night.
The tactical response vehicle is set to be replaced by a bigger fire engine. However, it will only be crewed during the day.
The Risk and Resource Model claims more fires happen during the day, and having two fire engines means Harrogate will have better protection at key times.
However, the second vehicle won’t be staffed between 10pm and 9am, which could put greater dependence on on-call firefighters in places like Knaresborough.
Read more:
- Four firefighters to be axed in April
- Union blames mismanagement for decision to axe Harrogate firefighters
