WELLINGTON county councillor Andrew Govier has stepped up his support for the local firefighters’ campaign to oppose the proposed cuts to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

The Devon and Somerset Fire Authority is looking to save money by closing a number of stations and reducing the cover provided by others.

In Wellington’s case, this would mean losing the use of the station’s second vehicle during daytime hours.

Cllr Govier invited his County Hall colleague and Fire Authority member, Cllr Leigh Redman, to attend a meeting with him at Wellington Fire Station last Tuesday evening.

“I have spoken to members of the team at Wellington and I knew that they were concerned about the proposals,” said Cllr Govier.

“I know Leigh from the county council and I knew that, as a former retained officer and fire authority member, he would be able to provide an invaluable insight.”

Currently the Wellington station is able to mobilise two fire engines to any emergency call and this helps to ensure that the local community and the wider district is given an excellent service.

They also provide a regional and national capability with the specialist training and equipment at their disposal.

But the Fire Authority proposals would see the second engine not being mobilised during daytime hours and its use restricted to evenings and overnight.

Cllr Govier added: “It was a very useful meeting. It is clear that we have a very dedicated and professional team here in Wellington.

“They are so well-organised and committed that they provide backup cover for a wide geographical area.

“There is a feeling that this proposal will damage the service locally. With the team’s current role in supporting other towns and our proximity to the M5, we need the second engine to be available all day.

“It is a service that we all hope that we never have to use but if we do them we need a fast response. These proposed changes could adversely affect response times.”

Up to eight fire stations may close in Devon and Somerset under the changes being considered.

Currently, there are 85 fire stations, 121 fire engines and 2,000 members of staff across both counties.

But the Fire Service has said it wants to bring an outdated service into the 21st Century and call-out incidents in both areas had decreased 36% between 2008 and 2018.

Fire chiefs have said that £12.2m had been saved over the last five years, but an estimated £8.4m of savings were still needed in the next three.

The matter will be discussed at the next Wellington Town Council meeting and Cllr Govier hopes that his colleagues will oppose the changes.

The plans are now out for consultation and residents are asked to respond via the link http://bit.ly/DSFRSconsult or by writing to Service Headquarters, The Knowle, Clyst St George, Exeter, EX3 0NW.