A DECISION on cuts to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been postponed due to a high level of response from concerned communities.

In June this year the fire authority announced that ‘significant changes’ were needed in order to try and save £8.4-million from its budget.

Money-saving options were put forward which were the subject of a 12-week public consultation that ended last month. Within the options were the scrapping of more than 30 fire engines across the region.

The plans were met with hostility from the West Devon community as they included reducing fire cover to one appliance during the day in Tavistock — at the moment the town has two fire engines on call around the clock.

The same is being proposed for Okehampton.

During the consultation the service received around 3,300 online responses, 700 letters and five petitions.

The petitions were received from four towns and the Devon branch of the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) which collected a total of 43,350 signatures.

The authority consulted over the summer on proposals to modernise the service. It said the proposals aimed to reduce fire engines and stations in areas of ‘low risk’ and ‘low activity’ so that the service could reinvest in prevention work to reduce the risk of incidents occurring.

James Leslie, Devon and Somerset brigade secretary, said: ‘Devon and Somerset firefighters are furious with these proposals. The plans would undeniably compromise public safety across both counties.’

Following the submission of FBU’s petition, Mr Leslie said: ‘We’re incredibly grateful to all our members who have been out there campaigning against the cuts. We have been on the ground across all parts of the region, talking to the public about the effects these cuts will have and have gained huge support.

‘Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. We will not stop until these cuts have been well and truly disbanded.’

All responses are being independently analysed by opinion research services (ORS) who will provide the authority with the findings from the consultation.

Due to the large amount of submissions and analysis needed, ORS “requires more time” to thoroughly review the responses to the consultation.

Because of this, the authority meeting to review the results of the consultation and decide upon the future of the service, which was due to take place in early November, is now scheduled for Wednesday, December 18.

In response, Tavistock mayor Anne Johnson told the Times: ‘People in Tavistock, along with town councillors, have been very concerned by the proposed cuts.

‘Many people in Tavistock responded to the consultation including Tavistock Town Council.

‘I’m pleased there has been so much feedback which is being independently analysed.

‘Whilst the delay in making a decision is disappointing it will hopefully mean that a sensible decision is reached to retain our second daytime appliance in Tavistock.’

Chief fire officer Lee Howell added: ‘I’d like to thank the thousands of people who have taken the time to share their views through the consultation.

‘I appreciate that moving the decision extends the uncertainty for our staff and communities who are affected by the proposals.

‘We don’t take any proposals to close stations or remove fire engines lightly which is why it is vital that we take time to thoroughly analyse and carefully consider the responses.’