Chief Fire Officer statement on efficiency savings

Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton, said: “In May 2023, I initiated the formation of an efficiency project team, tasked with addressing cost savings required for us to preserve a balanced budget while delivering on our commitments as a fire and rescue service. Such funding pressures became known following the confirmation of the organisational funding pressures and uncertain future funding settlements from central Government for 2024/25 onwards.

“To achieve a balanced budget, we must identify efficiency savings of nearly £2.5 million in the years ahead. The proposals today are founded upon significant research and data analysis and we continue to evaluate the various options available to us while ensuring our resources and planning are aligned with the level of risk we face. While we must make savings, our resource allocation and crewing levels are guided by a dedication to firefighter safety and the wellbeing of local residents.

“We will not be closing any of our existing fire stations nor will we reduce the number of fire engines and appliances within our Service. We are looking at how we can do things differently to ensure we meet efficiency savings required, reinvest in other areas and be more agile as a Service to make our Service stronger and our communities safer.

“In an ideal world, we would not have to make these difficult decisions, but unfortunately the harsh reality is that we must take the funding we have and find innovative ways to utilise the resources available to us.

“Let me be clear: we will not compromise firefighter safety or the safety of our communities in the pursuit of cost savings.”