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03
Oct 2022
'Harrogate firefighters being used as guinea pigs', says union
A union official has said Harrogate firefighters are being used as guinea pigs in a shake-up of fire services in North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe confirmed her three-year blueprint for countywide fire services last week following a three-month consultation.
The changes include reducing Harrogate fire station to one appliance between 10pm and 9am, which would increase the town's nighttime dependency on on-call firefighters in Knaresborough. However, the station will have enhanced cover during the day, when most fires occur.
The same changes will be implemented in Scarborough in three years time if the Harrogate pilot scheme proves successful.
Steve Howley, secretary of North Yorkshire Fire Brigades Union said the changes lacked support by firefighters and councillors and would endanger lives.
Speaking on BBC Radio York, Mr Howley said:
Read more:
- Confirmed: Harrogate to have just one night time fire engine
- Majority support Harrogate fire station changes, consultation reveals
Mr Howley said the data behind the decision was "fundamentally flawed" because it was based on there being 100% availability of on-call firefighters. He added:
He said the union did not oppose better fire prevention initiatives but was "vehemently opposed to the removal of frontline public services to reinvest in some of these areas when it should be centrally funded by government".
Ms Metcalfe said last week the changes were about a better way of operating rather than cuts, and savings will be reinvested in fire prevention work and boosting on-call fire stations. Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Masham, and Summerbridge have on-call stations in the Harrogate district and there is a volunteer-run station at Lofthouse.
Her changes, which will be phased in, will see Harrogate have two fully operational appliances during the day but only one at night.
The station currently has one fully operational appliance and a smaller tactical response vehicle staffed, which are both staffed 24 hours.
Announcing her decision, Ms Metcalfe — a Conservative who was elected commissioner last year — said:
Jonathan Dyson, chief fire officer for North Yorkshire, said Ms Metcalfe’s proposals provided the correct strategic approach to resourcing fire risk.
He said:
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