Petition to save East Preston fire engine fails

The 17 retained (part-time) fire crew, who fight fires on top of their normal, full-time jobs, are now facing an uncertain future in the run-up to Christmas.

The move is part of West Sussex County Council’s reorganisation plans for the fire and rescue service, and will also see Littlehampton’s station upgraded from retained to whole time, meaning it will be staffed by full-time fire crews.

Jon Mays, station commander at East Preston, said redundancies were likely.

“Losing the second appliance is a great shame,” he said, “it’s the end of an era that started in the 1940s.

“We are unclear as to the numbers, but there is the potential for redundancies.

“The removal of one appliance is, of course, an issue.”

He went on to say that his staff were 100 per cent dedicated to the job, and to the community.

“The crew members who remain will continue to give the excellent service they always have done,” he added.

Peter Evans, the council’s cabinet member for public protection, as well as county councillor for East Preston, gave the go-ahead to the plan, following a public consultation this summer.

He said: “Our fire and rescue service has put together a package of proposals that will improve public safety and make it more effective in the long term.

“It will make resources more effective by reflecting the changing risks in West Sussex.

“Higher risk areas will be targeted, so improving safety for vulnerable 
people, and there will be overall improvements to response times across the county.

“It will improve the safety of our firefighters who will be better trained and more effective at operational incidents.”

The plans will also see Bosham, Findon and Keymer fire stations close.