The County’s Fire and Rescue Authority plan to close fire stations across Nottinghamshire. Southwell Fire Station is on a shortlist for closure. Local Liberal Democrats are fighting these plans.

Local people have been shocked to hear that the Fire Station in Southwell has been listed for closure.  Southwell Fire Station is staffed with retained Firefighters. These part time firefighters usually have other jobs in the town. But they are available on call out. The firefighters from Southwell attend fires and rescues within 8 minutes.

It is well known that when fighting fires minutes can matter. If Southwell Fire Station is closed, the nearest fire engines will be in Newark and Mansfield. Response times from Newark will be over twice this time - and from Mansfield even longer.

Retained firefighters are fully trained, but due to their unique position are a lower cost than full time staff - and yet are just as effective in their roles..

Liberal Democrats on the Fire Authority have already challenged the decision to reduce the number of retained firefighters. It seems that the Fire Authority have decided to concentrate on full time paid staff.

Full time staff will not be deployed in Southwell - so it seems that they are determined to close our local Fire and Rescue Service