A FINAL decision on plans to change the fire service provision in Inverclyde will not be made until after the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that the outcome of consultation on proposed changes at more than 30 fire stations across Scotland is now expected by the end of June.
Various options were put to the public last summer.
The service is now pointing out that there are restrictions that prevent public bodies from making significant announcements or policy decisions during the pre-election period, which commences in March.
Speaking at the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee, Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “Regrettably, it is not feasible to complete the remaining work and internal governance processes before the pre-election period begins.
“Therefore, I can confirm that recommendations… will be made to the SFRS Board following this period and final decisions will be made by the end of June.”
Chief Officer Stevens added: “We recognise the uncertainty this delay may create for staff, stakeholders and communities where changes are proposed. However, this is a complex process, and it is essential that we take a robust and considered approach.”
Two options are being considered for Inverclyde.
One option is to make permanent the ‘temporary’ change carried out in September 2023 of withdrawing Greenock’s full-time combined aerial rescue pump (CARP), pictured above right, and replacing it with a dedicated high-reach appliance.
The other option includes option one plus changes to how two other local crews are manned:
— The third appliance at Greenock, which is currently crewed by on-call firefighters who are paged would be crewed by wholetime firefighters during day-shift hours from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm and crewed by on-call firefighters out with these hours. The first wholetime appliance would be unchanged.
— The first appliance at Port Glasgow, which is currently crewed by wholetime firefighters round-the-clock would instead be crewed by wholetime firefighters during day-shift hours from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm and by on-call firefighters out with these hours. The second on-call appliance would be unchanged.
