Borough's fire stations not to close (From Haringey Independent)

Tottenham and Hornsey fire station not to close under plans from London Fire Brigade

4:10pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Fire stations in Haringey have been spared following an announcement 12 others across the capital will be shut.

London Fire Brigade’s stations in Park Avenue South, Hornsey and St Loys Road, Tottenham, will not be closed under the proposals to make savings worth £28.8m over the next two years announced today.

However, 12 other stations across the capital will be closed including those in Bow, Belsize, and Clerkenwell, as well as cuts to the number of engines in operation at seven other stations.

The brigade says the changes have had to come as there are third fewer fires than a decade ago and it is hoped the changes can be made without making any firefighters compulsorily redundant.

Ron Dobson, commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, said: “Like virtually every other public service, the Brigade needs to make savings.

“In the last four years, we have cut £52m without reducing frontline services. Additional savings cannot be found without making significant changes to how we keep London safe.

“In the last decade, demand for the brigade’s service has changed dramatically and it’s time to reflect that in how our fire stations, engines and staff are organised.”