A public consultation is underway on plans to build a new generation of community fire stations in Cumbria.
Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service has already received preliminary backing from the government to replace ageing stations in the north and west of the county through an £11 million Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
Members of the public will now get the chance to have their say on proposals to replace the flood-hit station at Rickergate in Carlisle with two new city sites and build new stations at Workington, Whitehaven, Penrith and Patterdale.
In places like Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven, the relocation of stations will mean faster response times in areas which last year's comprehensive risk-mapping exercise identified as needing a high level of fire cover.
All the new stations will include community rooms which will be available free of charge to local schools, clubs and neighbourhood groups who in return will receive a basic fire or road safety message.
A lack of suitable sites in Alston and Lazonby means the villages' fire stations will not be rebuilt. The Fire and Rescue Service hopes instead to refurbish them on their existing sites.
To be successful, PFI funding bids must be over £20million and to meet that figure Cumbria has submitted a joint bid with Merseyside and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authorities who are also planning to build new stations.
Cumbria's Fire & Rescue Service needs to include details of its proposed station sites in an outline business case which will be sent to government officials in spring 2007.
The government will have the final say on whether work on the new stations can begin as planned in 2009, with stations becoming operational from 2010 to 2011.
Cumbria's Chief Fire Officer Bernard Dolan, said: "These new stations will enable the Fire and Rescue Service to make sure it has the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
"The scheme also heralds the development of a new generation of Cumbrian fire stations with facilities which, over time, will make them an essential and familiar community resource.
Mr Dolan continued: "We are naturally disappointed not to have found suitable sites for new stations at Alston and Lazonby. I can, however, reassure residents in both villages that this will not affect operational response standards and we will now look carefully at developing plans to refurbish each station on its existing site."
Members of the public have until March 2007 to comment on the plan which can be found in the county's libraries and on-line at www.cumbriafire.gov.uk
Neighbourhood Forum meetings in the areas affected will also get the chance to discuss the changes.
ENDS
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228 606337
Notes for Editors
A copy of Cumbria Fire & Rescue Authority's consultation document 'A Community Focused Fire and Rescue Service' is attached.