Residents and businesses still have time to give their views on proposals to change how West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) operates.
They have until Saturday, August 23 to take part in the county wide public consultation, ahead of a West Sussex County Council decision in September.
The proposals aim to improve the service WSFRS offers across the county while managing resources within a reduced budget.
The plans would help the fire and rescue service save £1.6million from its budget for 2015/16 without impacting upon its response to emergencies or response standards.
The proposals:
- Keep all fire stations open, but change the way fire engines are crewed, introduce new shift patterns and reduce the overall number of staff, including firefighters;
- Keep the same number of immediate response fire engines, but move one from a temporary base to a permanent location and remove some second, and one third, appliance;
- Support WSFRS with the prevention work it carries out, working closely with communities, professional partners and those most at risk; and
- Allow for investment in specialist equipment and training to support communities during severe weather and widespread flooding.
Full copies of the consultation document are available at West Sussex libraries and District and Borough Council offices.
Electronic copies, and all the supporting technical documentation, are available on www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire.
Residents can fill out an online questionnaire: www.surveymonkey.com/s/FFR2015 or write to Have Your Say, Future Fire Rescue, Freepost RSBK-CHTU-KGGG WSCC, Chichester, PO19 1RQ.
You can also make your views known by email: futurefirerescue@westsussex.gov.uk or by phone: 01243 752460.
