The fire service has been strongly urged to consider transferring Bembridge Fire Station – which is under threat of closure – to the community.
Councillor Chris Adams, speaking on behalf of Bembridge Parish Council (BPC), wants the transfer of the village’s fire station from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (HIWFRA) to the community.
He said it would allow its continued operation as a Community Resilience Hub, maintaining and expanding its invaluable services.
The call comes as Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) carries out a public consultation on major proposed service changes, which include the closure of both Bembridge and Yarmouth stations, which have already been mothballed.
Last week, public meetings were held as part of the consultation; at Bembridge Village Hall and the Community Hall of Yarmouth and District.
A spokesperson for BPC has said:
“Bembridge Fire Station remains a strategic and fully refurbished facility. Significant investments have been made in its roofing, ventilation systems, and training rooms.
“It is currently home to the Bembridge Parish Council Community Resilience Group, as well as being a central, equipped base for Community First Responders, and housing not only a Community Food Bank, but training facilities that offer lifesaving courses for schools and residents, empowering the public with essential emergency skills.”
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Cllr Adams has said:
“Bembridge Fire Station is no longer just a building — it’s a hub for safety, solidarity, and resilience. We fully appreciate the financial pressures on public services, but we strongly urge the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority to consider transferring the building to the community.
“This would allow its continued operation as a Community Resilience Hub, maintaining and expanding its invaluable services.”
If you want it as a community hub they pay for it, do not ask for sometyhing for nothing , it seems you are asking the fire service to just give it you, this is taxpayer money and they have a duty to get best value form it, What exactly is a community resillance hub, sounds like something out a soviet block country manual, you cannot have your own trumpton turning up at fires, it would cause chaos.
Common sense has now left the building. It just beggars belief.