Fears over future of Newtown fire service

A Mid Wales councillor said lives could be put at risk if proposed cuts to the fire service in the region go ahead and full time firefighters are given non-emergency work to do.

Councillor Russell George, town and county member for Newtown, is angry at the proposals.

Under the planned cuts, firefighters at Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Newtown, the area's the full-time staffed stations, could be used to do home fire safety checks and other non-emergency activities.

Councillor George said: "This is a shocking proposal. Newtown is the only full-time manned fire station in Montgomeryshire.

"The present arrangement has full-time firefighters located at the station, but I would question how quickly part-time staff can get to the station on Llanidloes road in peak time Newtown traffic.

"I also understand that if the station is downgraded, certain equipment used to tackle flooding and deal with dangerous waste spillages could be withdrawn. In such a rural area, we need to protect important services."

Councillor George said he would meet Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire Glyn Davies and fire staff.

Derek Masson, corporate head of strategic planning and performance at the fire service, said: "Mid and West Wales Fire Authority has taken a proactive approach to current financial challenges and carried out a comprehensive review.

"The authority has viewed this as a more effective use of the skills and experience these staff have, which when implemented will not impact on the emergency services currently being provided.

"Full-time firefighters will continue to be based at Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Brecon Fire Stations."