Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has called for an urgent Ministerial statement on the future of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in Powys, following new plans for paid volunteers to replace frontline firefighters.
Under new funding proposals, the 21 firefighters based in Newtown, Brecon and Llandrindod Wells could be given full- time community safety roles to support retained crews and stations in surrounding areas.
Commenting, Mr Bates said:
“I am deeply concerned about the proposed changes, which at best will reduce response times and at worst put lives at risk.
“I have demanded an urgent Ministerial statement to clarify the proposals for the Mid and West Wales Fire Service in Powys. I am disturbed that there is no minuted discussion of this issue within the Mid and West Wales Fire Service, no risk assessment has been undertaken and no public consultation has taken place. When previous changes have been made, there has been public consultation which is key.
“Under current plans, Powys could be the only local authority without full time operational firefighters. Being such a rural county with a challenging infrastructure and sparse population, this could severely impact on the ability of the fire service to respond to call outs.
“Newtown Fire Station could lose its full time operational firefighters, which could be disastrous for the local area. While volunteers can provide an excellent service, nothing can replace the effectiveness of full- time staff.
“Far from reducing the number of full time operational firefighters, we need to see an increase in the number of firefighters in Newtown to provide an improved service for Powys and Mid Wales.”
