A CAMPAIGNER from Wilton has warned of serious public safety consequences if proposed fire station closures across Dorset and Wiltshire go ahead.

Alice Elliot created the Save Our Fire Stations campaign on Instagram and Facebook to provide what she describes as an accessible hub with clear information on the closures affecting Wilton, Mere, Maiden Newton, Cranborne, Hamworthy, Charmouth, Ramsbury and Bradford-on-Avon.

“As I am not affiliated with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), or the Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA), I am able to share resources, question decisions and encourage public engagement in ways that serving members of the fire service currently cannot,” she told the Gazette.

“I live in Wilton and have family connections to Maiden Newton, so my concerns are both personal and community focused. However, my concerns extend to all eight stations proposed for closure.

“There is a genuine risk to life associated with these proposed closures. While the Fire Authority has stated these are the ‘lowest risk’ stations, that does not mean the consequences of reduced cover will be low.

“The stations identified serve some of the most rural areas of Dorset and Wiltshire. They also provide cover for cities such as Salisbury and major roads such as the A303 and are therefore essential to maintaining effective fire and rescue provision.”

Ms Elliot highlighted rising threats, including floods and wildfires, noting that even minor delays in response can be critical.

“Minutes matter in life-threatening incidents,” she said. “I believe many members of the public would agree that even a delay of one minute can be critical – let alone delays of up to six minutes, as indicated in the reports for some areas.”

Wilton Fire Station

Questioning the proportionality of the proposals, she added: “The plan removes 16% of fire stations to achieve savings of approximately 1.6% of the annual budget.

“If the service fails to meet future budgets, which projections suggest is likely, can we expect further station reductions to follow?”

Ms Elliot also raised concerns over the data underpinning the proposals, particularly information used during the Covid period.

“Through a Freedom of Information request, the FRSA identified discrepancies in the reported savings figures,” she said.

“There are also concerns that call-out data and availability metrics are based on outdated or incomplete information.”

She criticised what she described as a lack of transparency, arguing that communities should be able to scrutinise the evidence fully if asked to accept increased risk.

Alternative financial measures, she suggested, include reviewing staffing ratios and council tax precepts, alongside assessing earmarked project surpluses.

“Ultimately, this is not an issue unique to Dorset and Wiltshire. However, this does not mean that closing fire stations is the only option for DWFRS,” she said.

The Fire Authority has previously said the proposals form part of efforts to address ongoing budget pressures.

The public consultation remains open until May 15 via the DWFRS website and there will be two public meetings held in each town and village affected.