Decision yet to be made on fire services in Sterling

The Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service are expected to make their decision on possible job cuts or station closures in November. Until then, the position will not be made clear.

The fire service had previously warned that it is having to face up to cuts of 12-25 percent during the next four years and so savings will have to be made in some areas to make up for the loss of £4 million.

Speculation has been rife that this will take the form of job losses and the closure of certain stations as seen in other areas of Britain recently. However, Chief Fire Officer Kenny Taylor would not confirm any definitive service changes.

He said:

“There are number of things being looked at but no firm commitment to any of them. It might mean a revised duty system, it might mean we have to think about changing a full time station to part time or changing the part time status of others. It’s all on our radar.

“At the end of it there could be a detailed reshaping of the service, but we do not want compulsory job losses.”

Reviews have taken place as to the potential for the sharing of emergency services premises, but the final decision will not be made for another two months.