In February 2026, the Chief Fire Officer of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), Andy Cole, launched a 12-week public consultation on proposals to close eight On-Call fire stations: Bradford-on-Avon, Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy, Maiden Newton, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton. The proposals were presented as a response to an anticipated revenue shortfall of approximately £1.2 million.

The Fire and Rescue Services Association (FRSA) recognises the financial pressures facing fire and rescue services nationally, driven by current funding arrangements through government grants and local taxation. We are sympathetic to these challenges and remain committed to working collaboratively with services to identify sustainable solutions.

February 2026 Proposal

From the outset, we had significant concerns regarding the rationale underpinning the DWFRS proposals. In particular, there was limited transparency to why the closure of eight On-Call stations was determined to be the most appropriate option for the communities affected or for DWFRS employees.

Throughout the consultation period, the FRSA engaged constructively, carefully reviewing the data used to support the proposals. Our analysis, based on the Service’s own published information and historical Freedom of Information data, indicated discrepancies in the projected financial savings and the reported incident activity for the stations.

We were also concerned that the consultation presented the public with a single option, closure of the eight stations, without outlining any viable alternatives. A robust consultation process should present a range of options alongside a clear explanation of the need for change to allow for meaningful public engagement.

Engagement with local Members of Parliament and the Fire Minister has been constructive, helping to highlight the need for a broader review of fire service funding arrangements to ensure communities receive the level of protection they rightly expect.

It is unsurprising that the proposals were met with strong public opposition. This outcome raises questions about the effectiveness and value of the consultation exercise, particularly given the associated cost to the taxpayer.

June 2026 Proposal

Following the end of consultation, the Service has indicated that it intends to recommend that six of the eight stations remain open. The remaining proposals involve relocating the Wilton crew to Salisbury Fire Station and the Hamworthy crew to Poole Fire Station.

While the FRSA welcomes the decision to retain six stations and protect frontline roles, we have serious concerns regarding the proposed relocations affecting Wilton and Hamworthy personnel.

Both Wilton and Hamworthy are high performing stations with high activity and availability. It would appear to us that both crews are being penalised due to their close proximity to Wholetime stations.

We believe these proposals may prove impractical. Relocation could result in firefighters being unable to respond within required timeframes due to increased distance from their base, having a knock-on effect on real-incident exposure, competency and morale, ultimately leading to firefighters choosing to leave the service.

In addition, the anticipated financial benefit of these relocations appears minimal, calling into question their alignment with the original objective of addressing the Service’s budget shortfall.

These specific proposals have not been subject to public consultation and therefore have not undergone appropriate scrutiny. Established consultation principles, including the Gunning Principles, require that any significant changes of this nature are properly consulted upon.

For these reasons, the FRSA does not support the proposed relocation of crews from Wilton and Hamworthy.

We would like to acknowledge the significant efforts of our local FRSA representatives, whose campaign has positively engaged communities, increased awareness of the vital role of On-Call firefighters and encouraged new interest in recruitment across Dorset and Wiltshire.

We remain committed to working in partnership with DWFRS and other stakeholders to identify sustainable funding solutions that preserve critical services, protect personnel, and ensure the continued delivery of effective emergency response to the public.

Our campaign continues.