Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Announces Public Consultation Meetings Over Proposed Station Closures

DORSET & WILTSHIRE – Following the announcement of potential closures affecting eight on-call fire stations, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) has confirmed that a series of public consultation meetings will commence next week.

From 2 March through late April, residents in the affected areas are invited to attend community-specific meetings to discuss the proposals. To ensure maximum accessibility, the Service is offering a hybrid approach, providing both in-person sessions within each community and online dial-in options for those unable to attend in person.

Impacted Locations

The consultation focuses on eight on-call stations across the region:

• Dorset: Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy, and Maiden Newton.
• Wiltshire: Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury, and Wilton.

A Challenging Financial Climate

The proposal comes in response to severe budgetary pressures. Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole emphasized that the Service has already achieved over £15 million in savings over the past decade. However, a 19.5% reduction in direct Government funding has created a critical financial gap.

“Nobody wants to close fire stations,” said Chief Fire Officer Cole. “We still need to make sure our operational staff have the equipment and training they need to stay safe, and we’ve pared back our Corporate staff numbers as much as possible. This isn’t Plan A; we’ve worked through many difficult options before this point.”

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, composed of elected Members, is tasked with maintaining a sustainable service. While the Authority acknowledges the difficulty of these considerations, the current financial trajectory necessitates a review of the Service’s footprint.

Community Engagement and Next Steps

The Service has stressed that no final decisions have been made. The purpose of the consultation is to gather community feedback, identify potential local impacts, and ensure all relevant data has been considered before a final vote.

“This consultation is essential,” Cole added. “We understand that people care about what this means for their community. That is why we want them to tell us what they think. The final decision will be made by the Fire & Rescue Authority at their meeting on 30 June.”

How to Participate

Residents are encouraged to review station-specific data, read the Frequently Asked Questions, and complete the official survey.

• Consultation Period: Open until Friday, 15 May 2026.
• Meeting Details: Venue locations and online session links are available at www.dwfire.org.uk/proposed-station-closures.

The Fire and Rescue Service urges all residents to participate in the process to ensure their voices are heard before the June deadline.