By George Lythgoe

Plans to cut services at a fire station in Stockport to improve response times in Manchester city centre have caused uproar.

Proposals currently under consultation would see 24-hour cover at the Offerton and Sale fire stations cut and replaced with on-call crews. These would become 'day crewing' stations with firefighters 'on call' from 6pm in the evening to 8.30am, being called to incidents via mobile phone if required, Stockport Town Hall heard.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has previously reported that 90 per cent of current station staff would no longer be able to work at Offerton – and would be subject to compulsory moves – as they do not live in the immediate station area. The latest council meeting in the borough heard a motion opposing the plans that would release around £1.1 million that could be reinvested elsewhere in Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. 

Cllr Lisa Smart, tabling the motion, said these changes could be the difference between life or death, representing "a significant reduction in response time". 

Cllr Smart added: "When it comes to an emergency and it comes down to three or four minutes, that could be the difference between life and death. 

"An additional three or four minutes as a blaze rages around you or if you're trapped in a car that crashed into a river, they (firefighters) can be a difference between life and death. We strongly oppose these proposals."

Cllr Will Dawson referenced the proposals by GMFRS, highlighting this could shave about 20 seconds off their response times in Manchester and increase the ones for Offerton by two to three minutes. Cllr Steve Gribbon added that this does not guarantee further cuts for their fire service.

Under the proposals, the total number of fire engines would be increased from 50 to 52, with new pumps placed at the Manchester Central and Moss Side stations. The force's special appliances for water search and rescue capability would also be enhanced.

Cllr Christine Carrigan, a daughter of a firefighter, questioned the data with which this decision was made. Offerton and Sale were deemed the two stations with the lowest responses.

"A decision based on blue light timings, it is the stuff of fantasy," Cllr Carrigan said. "There have been no satisfactory answers to questions.

"We can already point to an incident at the Woodman Pub where three boys may have lost their lives had this model been adopted a year ago. I'm a child of the fire service. 

"The idea that I would defend and accept these changes is absurd. I will do everything I can to support our heroes."

Councillors were unanimous in urging the Greater Manchester mayor and the GMFRS to change their minds on these proposals. They also urged members of the public to make their voices heard in the consultation to stop these plans.

The fire cover review and special applications review consultation runs until July 24 and can be found HERE.

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