key proposals

• eight fire stations to close
• affected staff redeployed or offered "flexible" contracts
• no compulsory redundancies
• new stations in new ash green, herne bay, ramsgate and medway
• new vehicles, including rapid response units

by Martin Jefferies

Eight fire stations in Kent - including St Margaret's - are set to close after plans for a shake up of the county's fire service were published.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) intends to close stations in Halling, Horton Kirby, Sturry, Matfield, Queenborough, Rusthall and Seal, as well as the one at St Margaret's, between Dover and Deal.

Hythe could also lose one of its engines.

However, no firefighters will be forced to take compulsory redundancy.

Instead, KFRS plans to redeploy them to neighbouring stations.

It also plans to open new stations in New Ash Green, Herne Bay, Ramsgate and two in the Medway Towns.

Rapid response units, 4x4s and quad bikes could be used to respond to certain incidents, in a bid to save money and improve emergency response times.

The shake up comes after KFRS was told to expect a major cut in the amount of money it receives from the government – thought to be in the region of £12 million over the next three years.

Firefighters are also attending fewer fires and other emergencies, with a 25% drop in call-outs since 2005.

Ann Millington, chief executive of KFRS, said: "We understand the public worry about any change to their local fire service and that's often based on a belief that a single fire station looks after their town or village.

"In fact, emergency cover is delivered on a countywide basis. To do that effectively, we must have stations in the right locations to best meet local need.

"If we are to keep local people safe then we can't remain fixed in time. We need a service designed for the 21st Century needs of Kent and Medway. That means a flexible approach to deal with changing local needs, well-equipped firefighters and stations located in the right place."

Local people and staff at KFRS will be asked what they think of the proposals when a consultation is launched on October 31. This will run until January 16, 2012, with a final decision expected the following month.