Plans for Cinderford’s New Fire Station Approved

The Gloucestershire County Council has given its approval to proposals for a new community fire station. Located in Cinderford, this new facility, which will be staffed by an additional 14 firefighters, forms part of initiatives aimed at enhancing fire protection in the region. Expectations are that it will lead to faster response times and boost the daytime availability of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) personnel. Chief Fire Officer Mark Preece stated: “We want to ensure we have the right people, in the right place, at the right time to provide emergency response, community prevention and safety needs.” The proposals incorporate feedback from a public consultation conducted from 18 March to 9 June, designed to allow both local residents and service employees to provide input on the suggestions. GFRS staff members were also consulted regarding possible alterations to their shift schedules. Gloucestershire County Council sanctioned the implementation of a new day shift staffing model at the community fire station, which will expand the service’s workforce by 14 new full-time positions. Furthermore, the council endorsed modifications to the whole-time working shifts for the Wholetime Community Fire Stations, transitioning from 9-hour days and 15-hour nights to 11-hour days and 13-hour nights. Mr. Preece is scheduled to assess the effects of the revised whole-time shift patterns within six months of their commencement. This review aims to comprehend the implications, especially for individuals with a protected characteristic, and to implement reasonable adjustments if required. GFRS indicated its commitment to ensuring community safety, and as such, it is evaluating its resource deployment to align with the priorities outlined in its Community Risk Management Plan. Mr. Preece further stated: “We continually assess how we best serve the communities of Gloucestershire.” Councillor Dave Norman, the cabinet member overseeing GFRS, commented: “We believe that a day-staffed fire station in Cinderford with 14 extra firefighters will ensure the fire and rescue service continues to keep our communities safe, and we would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation.” For updates, follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.