Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is proposing a 'day crewing' model for Offerton Fire Station, which would mean there were no full-time firefighters at the station during night-time.

Crews would continue to provide an immediate response from the station during the day (8.30am-6pm), however outside of these hours services would come from either another station or from 'on-call' firefighters. 

'On-call' firefighters operate from homes nearby. They are alerted to an incident via mobile phone, then make their way to the fire station before turning out to an incident.

This would mean service would have a longer response time from 6pm to 8.30am. To be exact, average Offerton response times would increase by "one minute 26 seconds (from six minutes 41 seconds to eight minutes seven seconds) and the overall increase across Stockport borough would be 15 seconds (from seven minutes 22 seconds to seven minutes 37 seconds)." 

In defence of the cuts, GMFRS argued that Offerton "has the smallest number of 'very high-risk' locations in its area and Greater Manchester's second lowest level of incidents and serious life-risk incidents at night-times over the past three years."

GMFRS also stated that cuts would mean £1.134 million could be redirected to 'other priority areas', and that fire crews could enjoy a better work life balance.

As it stands, Marple is the only fire station in Stockport to operate a 'day-crewing' system (Image - Google Maps)

However, a number of local politicians have spoken out against the proposed Offerton station cuts.  

Lib Dem councillor Lisa Smart has set up a petition to stop fire service cuts at Offerton, saying: "I'm really concerned for local residents. Every minute counts in a fire or road traffic accident. These plans will make our communities less safe."

Offerton councillor Will Dawson - also Lib Dem - added, "Yet again Labour are taking our area for granted with these callous cuts to our local fire service."

However, opposition has not just come from the Lib Dems, with two Offerton Labour councillors also weighing in.  

Cllr Helen Hibbert and Cllr Will Sharp wrote a joint letter to Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for safer and stronger communities at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).  

One line reads: "This proposal will have a significant effect on our residents, and we cannot support it as it stands."

Firefighters themselves have also raised concerns.  

Residents who share these misgivings can submit feedback on the GMCA website HERE, or sign Cllr Smart's petition HERE.

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