Fire Review Adopted

22 October 2010, 06:35 | Updated: 22 October 2010, 12:33

The members of the East Sussex Fire Authority have told Heart they approved the ‘Rural Review’ recommendations in full, at a public meeting on 21 October 2010.

The Fire Authority reached their decision following an extensive open and transparent comprehensive consultation & engagement process aimed at East Sussex Fire & Rescue (ESFRS) staff, stakeholders and the public on how ESFRS provides fire and rescue cover in the districts of Lewes, Rother and Wealden.

East Sussex Fire Authority, Chairman, Councillor Ted Kemble said: “Today, East Sussex Fire Authority has agreed the revised recommendations within the Rural Review report after listening to staff and the public’s concerns in how ESFRS will now proceed.

“We would like to thank the public, our partners and staff, for their pro-active involvement in providing us with their carefully considered views in creating a fire & rescue service fit for the future.”

Among the changes; Stations like Burwash, Mayfield and Herstmonceux stay operational as they are today but the force will undertake a station specific recruitment and retention campaign for two years. This is a change from the original proposald which would have seen the stations staffed only at nightime

Subject to having the money available; Lewes fire station will be moved because of flooding risks - and Newhaven fire station will be moved nearer to Peacehaven which is growing in size resulting in more call outs

Read the proposals in full