Firefighters and community representatives are urging the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority to defer £1.6 million in proposed frontline cuts, warning cuts could jeopardise response times – particularly in Andover – especially with emergency cover already under intense strain.
Andover Station: Vital Local Cover
Andover Fire Station on London Street operates both wholetime (24/7) and on-call crews, serving as a key response hub for the Test Valley area. It also supports neighbouring towns and villages, making it crucial for local safety.
Rising Risks & Recent Reductions
A report published two weeks ago highlighted that HIWFRS is struggling to maintain sufficient appliances across the region, often falling short of emergency response standards – a concern that could directly impact Andover’s capacity during large-scale or concurrent incidents.
Meanwhile, response times across the service have slipped slightly, with delays partly driven by a rise in incidents located in rural areas where on-call availability is lower – something that disproportionately affects semi-rural towns like Andover.
What the Fire Brigades Union Is Demanding
With 1 in 4 firefighter roles lost since 2010, and recent inspections rating the service as inadequate in staffing, the FBU is urging the authority to delay these cuts and use nearly £24 million in reserves to avoid reducing essential frontline cover.
Jamie Kelly, brigade secretary for Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said:
“This decision does not need to be rushed. We urge the Fire Authority to defer these cuts, use reserves temporarily, and press the government for proper funding. Frontline services, once cut, are rarely restored.”
Mark Chapman, FBU regional secretary (Southern), added:
“Our service is on the brink of critical failure if these proposals go through. One in four firefighter posts gone means we have no margin for error – especially in towns like Andover. The reserve exists; they must use it now.”
What This Could Mean for Andover
If cuts proceed, the loss of firefighters could lead to fewer appliances and crew at Andover station, slowing response times – or forcing adjacent stations to step in during busy periods. Given that response times are already prolonging due to reduced on-call availability in rural zones, any further attrition could put lives at risk.
Call to Action
The Fire Brigades Union is urging residents to contact their local Fire Authority representatives before Friday’s meeting and ask them to postpone the proposed cuts. Every voice counts when local safety hangs in the balance.