CAMPAIGNER'S DELIGHT AT DECISION TO KEEP WREXHAM FIRE ENGINE

 

'A victory for people power'

Campaigners have expressed their relief that plans to axe Wrexham's second whole-time fire engine have been withdrawn by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.

Councillor Becca Martin, who set up a petition to fight proposals that would have seen the number of frontline firefighters slashed from 52 to 28 in Wrexham, said she was delighted at the news: 

Councillor Becca Martin

"The NWFRA's decision today to take options 2 and 3 off the table mean the most extreme measures to cut one in eight firefighters across north Wales have been effectively scrapped.

"People were horrified at the thought of losing this vital service, especially as Wrexham's fire station takes 50% of all calls across the North. That explains why feelings were so strongly against the plans in the consultation that was held and why the Fire Authority feels it has to withdraw the proposals.

"It feels like a victory for people power and I'm so pleased for everyone who joined our campaign - whether by signing the petition, joining our protest or taking part in the consultation.

"It's not all over, however. Because this was, in part, driven by a lack of funding for a vital emergency service we're going to have to ensure that firefighters don't face this kind of threat in the future. We had to fight for this second fire engine back in 2016 and won, we've done it again in 2023 and now we need to turn the tide to ensure public services are properly funded and run effectively.

"From talking to firefighters on the frontline, I know how much of an impact losing these jobs would have had. There have also been concerns expressed about the cost of senior management within the fire service as well as the planned new training centre, which is estimated to cost £48m. I hope that the fire authority will look again at these elements in terms of costs rather than looking to cut frontline services in the future."