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I am writing to express my deep concern about the plans to close eight fire stations in Dorset and Wiltshire, alongside the loss of 96 firefighter roles and 14 fire engines. These measures would significantly weaken the fire and rescue service’s ability to protect the public and would place both residents and firefighters at greater risk.

Closing on-call fire stations would leave many rural communities without adequate fire cover. Removing nearby fire engines will inevitably increase response times as crews are forced to travel from further afield. This is a predictable and measurable consequence of cutting local resources.

Many fires and other emergencies require multiple fire engines to be mobilised immediately. A house fire with a person reported trapped inside, for example, requires three fire engines to respond safely. The on-call fire engines at the stations earmarked for closure currently essential back-up when it is most needed. The service already under-reports second fire engine response times, and these will deteriorate further if fire engines are removed from the frontline and back-up has to come from further away.

The service is already under immense pressure. Dorset and Wiltshire has lost around a 20% of its frontline firefighters since 2010, and response times to a life- or property-threatening fire are now almost 2 minutes slower than the national average. The proposed cuts would strip nearly another 10% of the remaining frontline workforce and close 16% of the service’s stations. The scale of these cuts cannot be absorbed without serious consequences for operational capability.

Recent events have already demonstrated the impact of under-resourcing. Last summer’s major wildfire at Holt Heath overwhelmed the service, requiring reinforcements from as far away as Merseyside. Storm Chandra has caused widespread flooding and disruption, leaving the service struggling to meet demand. As climate change drives more severe wildfires, flooding, and pressure on the service will only intensify. Cutting resources at a time of rising risk is dangerous and short-sighted.

Although fire service management cites “significant financial pressures” at the reason for these proposals, cuts of this magnitude are not really savings at all. They reduce resilience, undermine the service’s ability to respond effectively, and ultimately come at the expense of public safety. The focus should instead be on securing adequate central government funding to maintain safe and sustainable levels of fire cover.

Public safety must remain the overriding priority. I urge you to oppose these plans and to take a clear stance in defence of both your constituents and the firefighters who protect them.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter further at your constituency surgery and would be grateful if you could advise me of your availability.

Cuts Kill: Stop the cuts to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service