Fire chiefs are planning big changes that will place dozens of jobs at risk across Brighton and Hove and the wider East Sussex area.
And it could leave Preston Circus and Roedean, in Brighton, and Hove as three of just five whole-time fire stations run by East Fire and Rescue Service. The other two would be in Eastbourne and Bohemia Road in Hastings.
Fire crews would be less likely to help rescue people from lifts – or take longer to turn out – and they could rescue fewer trapped animals such as birds caught in roof nets.
And they might be less likely to respond to fire alarms, with false alarms remaining a significant drain on time and resources.
The changes are outlined in new operating plans being considered by the East Sussex Fire Authority at a virtual meeting tomorrow (Thursday 23 April).
The fire service’s whole-time fire stations could face staffing and rostering changes.
Each currently operates what is known as a “four-watch” system, with firefighters working two day shifts followed by two night shifts then four days off duty.
Fire chiefs want to introduce a “flexible rostering duty system” with a single larger team of firefighters at each station where shifts would be allocated to reflect staffing needs at busier times.
Alternatively, the service could introduce a “group crewing” system at Preston Circus, Hove and Roedean, with Eastbourne and Bohemia Road retaining the “four-watch” system.
Either proposal, if approved, could result in the loss of five firefighter posts, with staff either redeployed or made redundant, the fire service said.
The overall package of reforms is expected to lead to the loss of between 27 and 33 firefighter posts.
Other proposed changes under the reforms would remove second fire engines from Battle, Bexhill, Crowborough, Lewes, Newhaven, Rye and Uckfield fire stations.
Each of the service’s 24 stations would have at least one fire engine. Hove has already lost a second fire engine.
But Bohemia Road fire station, in Hastings, could gain an extra fire engine.
The proposals are aimed at ensuring a more efficient use of resources and would reduce costs, according to bosses.
