There are no current plans to close fire stations on the Isle of Wight, a service boss has said, following fears Yarmouth’s could be ‘at risk’.
Concerns had been raised by Yarmouth Town councillors, including a former mayor, that the crew could not turn out to emergencies due to a lack of firefighters.
Last week the town council agreed to submit an application to the Isle of Wight Council to make the fire station, on Station Road, an asset of community value.
If successful, it would put the organisation at the front of the queue to buy the site, if it were ever put up for sale.
Cllr Thomas Cowley raised the matter saying the town council did not know what was going to happen with the station in the future. It ‘was at risk’, he said, as there were ‘not enough’ volunteers.
Former town mayor, Cllr Steve Cowley said there were only two members of crew so Yarmouth’s fire brigade ‘could not turn out to emergencies’.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s assistant director of operations, Jason Avery, did not comment on Yarmouth’s crew specifically but did say teams in the West Wight were operating on a flexible crew model.
It means Yarmouth and Freshwater are ‘regularly working together’ to ensure better availability and the most effective responses to incidents, he said.
Mr Avery said.
“We are not currently looking to close any stations,
“We are investing in our Island estate and have an extensive refurbishment programme in place which has already seen improvements made to all Island stations, including Yarmouth and Freshwater.”
He said discussions are ongoing with partner agencies in the West West about the availability of space for potential co-locating, to make efficient ways of working.
Mr Avery said they always look at how best they can allocate resources based on risk and they would always engage with local communities on any potential ‘significant changes’ in their area. A new 5-year safety plan is currently being developed, which sets out the risks in the area and how the fire service plans to address them.
It was back in December 2022 that Island Echo exclusively reported that Needles Coastguard Rescue Team were exploring plans to move into the premises.
There is a vacancy for an on-call firefighter in Yarmouth — as well as at 5 other stations across the Island (Bembridge, Cowes, Ryde, Sandown and Ventnor) — and Mr Avery said he would encourage any interested to find out more about the role. It can be done so here: hantsfire.gov.uk/careers/become-a-firefighter/on-call-retained-firefighter/.
Yarmouth does only have 2 firefighters and Bembridge has none. What happens if the Yarmouth Bridge breaks down?
Get a couple of firemen from Freshwater to pop out with their fire engine.
Quote there is a vacancy for a fire fighter at Yarmouth . If there’s only 2 there a further vacancy for 10 more not just 1
Walk past there pretty much every day and have never seen any activity at all. I thought it had been derelict for years. May as well make some use if it and sell it to build homes for DFL’s.
Why not transfer the mini Fire Engine based at Bembridge to Yarmouth where there is a crew of 2.
Why have 2 Fire stations so close
Yarmouth and Freshwater!
When Boris Johnson was London mayor he closed down many Fire Stations.
On the Island there are too many close together, bit like Cop shops.
the Island is not very big.
It is time to reduce costs.
Does working together mean the 2 Yarmouth crew can attend at Freshwater Station for call out and training ?