Today, Monday 18 December, North Wales fire authority has announced that plans to downgrade two fire stations in North Wales have been scrapped following opposition from firefighters and the public.
Rhyl and Deeside fire stations both faced being closed at night under cuts to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
The Fire Brigades Union had warned that this would impact firefighters’ ability to keep people and homes safe in two of the region’s busiest areas, as well as decreasing capacity across North Wales at night.
The Fire Authority has now voted to reject all proposals from fire service managers to downgrade coverage and is expected to meet in the new year to consider what happens next.
Duncan Stewart-Ball, Fire Brigades Union regional secretary for Wales said:
“Today marks a victory for firefighters and the communities they serve, as the plans to downgrade Rhyl and Deeside fire stations have been scrapped. This is the result of months of organising, lobbying and protesting, with hundreds of firefighters and residents of North Wales coming together to save their fire service.
“The incredible solidarity we have seen during this campaign has shown just how valued the work of our firefighters is by the people they protect.”
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
“This outcome is the result of months of hard work and campaigning by firefighters and the wider community across north Wales. The FBU will make sure that the voice of firefighters continues to be heard, and will fight for our services to receive the funding they desperately need.”
