Plan for Sale fire station to lose 24-hour status scrapped
Sale's fire station is to remain staffed 24 hours a day after a U-turn on a controversial cut to the fire service.
Sale Fire Station © GMFRS
Andy Burnham revealed the U-turn at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority this week.
The authority had previously wanted to switch Sale's fire station to a 'day crew' system in which it would be staffed during the day between 8.30am and 6pm but it would be unstaffed during the night between 6pm and 8.30am. Overnight, firefighters within four minutes of the fire station would be on call for any incident.
The idea of this 'day crew' system, which is in operation at six other sites in Greater Manchester, was to make a £1 million saving for investment into two new engines at Manchester Central and Moss Side as well as into specialist appliances such as extendable turrets and turntable ladders.
Over the course of a consultation, local residents and their representatives on Trafford Council spoke out against the idea out of concern for its impact on them.
At a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority this week metro mayor Andy Burnham said the authority acknowledged their concern and acted accordingly.
With Sale's fire station set to remain staffed 24 hours a day, only one of the two new engines at Manchester Central and Moss Side is now affordable. Other investment is still possible including the replacement of 12 existing engines with up-to-date models.
Dave Russel, the chief fire officer for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), said: "I would like to thank the public for taking the time to tell us what they thought about our proposals.
"I made it clear from the outset when I took on the role as Chief Fire Officer I want to be open and transparent and to listen to people's views to help me to lead a service of which everyone can be proud.
"We are delivering the majority of our proposals and we are addressing the concerns raised by some of our communities.
"The service will in the future be even stronger in the delivery of our prevention, protection and response services as a result of this Fire Cover Review and our culture of listening, which this process has reaffirmed."
