West Yorkshire set to lose firefighter jobs

Up to 200 jobs at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are at risk as the organisation attempts to cut costs by £8 million within the next two years.

Current proposals would mean the closure of Ossett Fire Station, replaced by a new station nearer to Wakefield, and the merging of Rothwell and Garforth Fire Stations at a new location midway between the two towns.  In addition, one fire engine would be removed at Wakefield.

The service’s chief fire officer stated that it was looking likely that cost cutting would be needed until 2020 and that the design of the area’s fire services had to be re-examined.  He stressed that budget reduction plans had already been put in place but that anticipated further decreases in funding to local authorities up to 2020 would inevitably have an impact on the fire service.

The chief fire officer also emphasised that a failure to redesign the services and locations would cause recruitment problems and leave fire stations unstaffed.

The proposals will be set out in more detail to affected staff in the near future, with a view to commencing consultation.