Many of Dorset’s fire stations are operated by on-call firefighters and it’s understood that in order to save money, some of them are set to be closed this year.
Firefighters are set to find out which stations are under threat on January 22 with a Fire Authority meeting in February to consult on which of these stations will be cut. A 12 week consultation period will then follow before the final decision is made.
Last year firefighters in the county faced one of their ‘most challenging’ years to date as 750 wildfires swept through Dorset.
A union has said the brigade should focus its efforts on recruiting more on-call firefighters, not closing stations.
Field fire Wyke Regis (Image: Peter Outhwaite)
In 2024 fire engines were removed from Sturminster Newton and Wareham, leaving each station with just one appliance each – a move which sparked fear amongst firefighters that the service would become too stretched.
Acting chair of the Dorset & Wilts Fire Brigade Union (FBU) Janine McCuniskey said: “This is a decision that will be made by the Fire Authority.
“When these stations close they will never reopen and it will bring a higher risk to the public and it will reduce the resilience to tackle large emergencies, like the Holt Heath fire last year.
Aerial view of the fire at Holt Heath near Wimborne (Image: Ollie Lehmann Bliss Aviation)
“There will also be more gaps across the conurbation, health and safety implications, and it will lower community confidence in the service.”
The FBU has also said that stations at threat are ‘struggling to remain available’ due to a lack of effective recruitment and that these shortfalls then ‘snowball’ creating harder working conditions for on call firefighters.
It has urged Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) to effectively recruit into its on-call fire stations – and review and support the recruitment process, not close stations.
A firefighter tackling the fire at Holt Heath near Wimborne (Image: Simon Rowley)
A spokesperson for the Dorset & Wiltshire FBU added: “With 2025 being one of the busiest for firefighters, the service now want to shut stations in 2026.
“Removing stations will have a negative effect on surrounding on call stations and those firefighters. Focus should be on employing more firefighters to crew these stations, not shutting them.”
Chief fire officer at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Andy Cole, said that the service is ‘facing significant financial challenges,’ despite attempts to lobby central government for better funding.
He said the service has a programme of work underway to make sure it is sustainable in the future, part of this includes proposals for station closures.
Fire at Newton Heath (Image: DWFRS) (Image: DWFRS)
He added: “More information will be available to the public when impacted staff have been advised and when papers are published for the Fire & Rescue Authority meeting in February.
“We are continually running on-call recruitment campaigns across the service area to improve on-call availability.
“We will always look at ways to use our resources most efficiently, ensuring we continue to provide an emergency service to our communities when they need us, whilst making the best use of public money.”
The service is awaiting a government decision for extra funds to cover the costs of the Holt Heath fire, totalling £597,000.
Dorset MPs have written to the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting this funding is granted.
When asked by the Echo about the closures, West Dorset MP Edward Morello said he recognises that ‘difficult decisions’ need to be made by the service which is under ‘incredible financial pressure’ and called for more funding for the service.
He added: “As we saw with the Holt Heath fire last year, a major incident can lead to even greater pressure on the budget, which is why I wrote to the Government asking for additional funding.
“Increasingly hot dry summers will make the likelihood of major wildfires ever more likely and it’s why we must do everything possible to ensure our fire service is prepared and properly funded.”