Bath MP Wera Hobhouse visited Bath Fire Station on Friday 6th December, meeting with Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton.
MP Wera Hobhouse during her visit to Bath Fire Station
The visit aimed to spotlight the critical work undertaken by Avon Fire & Rescue and to discuss challenges in the sector.
During the visit, Mrs Hobhouse was given a tour of the station and was shown firsthand the urgent need for renovation.
Firefighters and staff shared how the facilities are in desperate need of updates, due to the station’s poor condition and the risks associated with outdated infrastructure.
The MP was informed that plans are already in place to demolish the current station and rebuild it next year, a necessary step to ensure the service can continue to operate effectively in the years ahead.
Mrs Hobhouse was also shown the equipment used by firefighters, including the vehicles that they rely on daily.
She had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of one of the fire engines and was given a rare view from above, lifted sky-high by a turntable ladder.
The visit highlighted how Avon Fire & Rescue Service, like other services across the country, is facing rapidly changing demands due to climate change, the increasing risks associated with the built environment, and advancements in technology.
Chief Fire Officer Shilton discussed the financial strain faced by the fire service, including an anticipated £4.2 million funding deficit over its medium-term financial plan.
He stressed the potential impact of such deficits on essential prevention, protection, and emergency response activities, as well as on the safety of firefighters and the public.
The city’s MP also heard of the broader challenges facing fire and rescue services nationally, such as the role of firefighters in addressing issues like wide-area flooding and challenges in recruitment and retaining specialised skills.
Mrs Hobhouse shared Mr Shilton’s concerns about the underfunding of the fire service which risks putting people in danger and pledged to call on the government to do whatever necessary to protect lives.
Chief Fire Officer Shilton said: “It was great to have Wera here at the station to show her all the wonderful work we do for the community and the challenges we are facing.
“As a Service, we believe reform is essential to deliver further improvement and development locally and across the sector.
“We believe that local political and operational leadership will be key to meeting changes and driving improvement in the sector, but we also need government support.
“Thank you to Wera for promising to push the government on addressing these changes.”
Wera Hobhouse commented: “I was deeply impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the Avon Fire and Rescue team, who go above and beyond to protect our community.
“However, the funding pressures they face are unacceptable. The Government must stop fanning the flames of this crisis and invest in the services that save lives.
“With the climate emergency causing more and more extreme weather events, it is essential that the Government takes action to ensure that our fire and rescue services are equipped for all conditions.
“Underfunding can have deadly consequences- I will continue pushing the government to invest in our crucial emergency services and to help them carry out their life-saving work.”
