Dorset fire station closures raise serious safety concerns

Michael Burbery, 77, from Poole, expressed concerns about potential fire station cuts in Dorset that may significantly delay emergency response times—potentially doubling them in areas like Oakdale. He highlighted the risk to elderly residents, emphasizing the need for quick access to fire services. The public consultation on the proposed cuts ended recently, with closures affecting eight stations. Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole acknowledged that closing fire stations would increase risks to communities, citing a funding shortfall due to a 20% reduction in government support, which necessitates examining savings options, including station closures.

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