There could be a greater demand for officers with jobs in environmental health on the Isle of Wight after more than 5,000 people signed a petition to keep a fire station open.
Yesterday (August 31st 2010), officers from Shanklin Fire Station along with 5,720 supporters presented a petition to the Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for environmental health Barry Abrahams to keep the facility open.
Their campaign was launched after it was revealed that the local authority was planning to close the station in order to save costs.
Mr Abrahams said he recognised the "strength of feeling" from all the residents and fire fighters.
He added that closing down fire stations "isn't something that the Isle of Wight faces on its own".
Speaking with This is Lancashire, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service country fire officer Steve McGuirk said that "there remains a great deal of uncertainty" when it comes to the future of fire brigades in the UK.
Posted by Jennifer Masters
