FIREFIGHTERS in Dorset and Wiltshire are facing what their union describes as an unprecedented threat, as proposals to close eight fire stations and remove 71 posts across the service are debated.

The plans have prompted strong opposition from the Fire and Rescue Service Association (FRSA), which says the measures would significantly weaken operational resilience at a time when crews are already under strain from wildfires, flooding risks and the legacy of earlier cuts.

A meeting of the Fire Authority is taking place at Salisbury’s City Hall today to discuss the proposals to shut stations in Wilton, Mere, Ramsbury, Bradford-on-Avon, Charmouth, Maiden Newton, Cranborne and Hamworthy.

If the authority agrees, a 13-week public consultation would begin later this month.

Tristan Ashby, chief executive officer of the Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) said firefighters and their representative bodies have been given just one week to review the proposals before the meeting.

The FRSA argues that the authority should delay any formal consultation until staff have had sufficient opportunity to assess the plans and put forward alternatives.

He said: “The scale of these proposed changes will devastate fire cover in Dorset and Wiltshire. As recently as last summer, the service called upon 17 services to assist them in dealing with wildfires as they were unable to cope.

“These proposals will further weaken the service, and there will come a time when there is no one to come to their aid. The paucity of data provided is appalling, and we have very significant concerns about how the information and the conclusions are drawn.

“It is clear to us that a selective narrative has been used to suit a desired outcome.’

He went on to criticise the scope and methodology of the review, the handling of on-call firefighters’ livelihoods and what he described as a failure to explore alternative savings.

“What is equally as appalling is the cavalier way in which such major changes to the livelihoods of hard working and dedicated On-call firefighters have been handled, trashing their career prospects and the time and effort taken in obtaining their skills,” he said.

FRSA has warned that approving the proposals for consultation in their current form risks exposing serious flaws, as the full operational impact becomes clear.

Mr Ashby added: “This review is deeply flawed and the authority, if it approves it to go out to consultation, is going to embarrass itself as the true impact of the proposed changes are revealed.”