UP to 36 firefighter posts could be lost as part of £2.4m worth cost-cutting measures.
A shake-up of rostering patterns which would signal the loss of between 22 and 36 posts while safeguarding front-line services was the preferred option of members of North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority’s Executive Panel.
Money saving options discussed on Monday at North Wales Fire and Rescue headquarters in St Asaph ranged from employing fewer firefighters or closing some stations in ‘less busy areas’ while maintaining front-line services.
Members voted for a shake-up of rostering which could be phased in over two years and would avoid station closures while ensuring the correct number of firefighters on appliances at all times.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer for North Wale Dawn Docx said: “The amount of money we will receive from the Government is reducing and we have been warned that even bigger cuts in our funding is expected in coming years, so there is no option but to make these changes now,” she said.
The meeting heard that the service was experiencing rising costs, particularly the rising price of fuel.
“North Wales’ Fire and Rescue Service’s revenue budget has been frozen at £32 million until 2014, which means in cash terms, we estimate that we will need to make savings of £2.4 million across the whole service,” added Mrs Docx.
Fire and Rescue Authority members will continue investigating cost cutting options with recommendations being put to the next full meeting of the Authority on October 17.
Cllr Sharon Frobisher, chair of North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “These are difficult times but we are committed to delivering the highest possible emergency response standards and prevention programmes.”