A CREW manager at Rhyl Fire Station has created an online petition to try to save it from “unacceptable” proposals to have its operational hours reduced.

Gavin Roberts, who has been based in Rhyl as a firefighter for roughly a decade, said plans for the station to no longer be open 24/7 will be to the detriment of the town and its surrounding area.

In late July, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) stated an online consultation period, running until September 22, proposing three options in its “Emergency Cover Review”.

All three options involve Rhyl and Deeside’s stations changing to a day staffing system, as part of the service’s plans to improve emergency cover in Corwen, Dolgellau and Porthmadog.

But Mr Roberts said downgrading Rhyl’s station could cause delays of up to eight to 10 minutes, in scenarios where “every second counts”.

His petition, entitled “Save Rhyl Fire Station”, can be signed at: petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245542.

It has currently received more than 830 signatures, but needs 10,000 to be considered for a Senedd debate.

He said: “I worry not so much about losing my job but about being moved station, or to a different shift which won’t be as family-friendly.

“I work two days and two nights at the moment, but there will be a response time issue there (if hours are cut).

“I think the public needs to be fully aware of what’s happening in the area. Rhyl has historically had a 24/7 station because of the risks in the area, and it needs to stay that way.

“The influx of tourists in the summer is massive, and the area that we cover along the coast is not just confined to Rhyl; we can go as far as Llandudno, if need be. Plus, we’ve got two special appliances which are often needed.

“It’s been reiterated all the time that they want to make the cover equitable in the whole of North Wales, but it’s not equitable to rob Peter to pay Paul.

“All of the three options (proposed by NWFRS) include the downgrading of Rhyl and Deeside. That’s not fair.”

Mr Roberts, who is a representative for the Fire Brigades Union, has set up a Facebook page for his campaign, also entitled “Save Rhyl Fire Station”.

Extracts from a post on the page read: “While people sleep, the risk of having a serious fire and being injured or worse is heightened due to people not being alert.

“It's at these times that the stations response will be delayed as firefighters will have to respond from home. Every second counts when responding to a fire and saving lives.

“Say no to the current unacceptable proposals – we need your help to keep the 24-hour response at Rhyl.”

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James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, has met with the chief fire officer, Dawn Docx, to discuss NWFRS’ Emergency Cover Review.

Should the night shift at Rhyl Fire Station be removed, staff would cover “on-call” shifts instead during the affected hours.

Dr Davies said: “I understand their desire to improve cover in more rural areas and to live within a realistic budget.

“However, it is clear that switching night cover in Rhyl to on-call firefighters will incur worsened response times in the immediate area and may prove incredibly challenging for those firefighters who do not already live within a five minutes of the fire station.

“I have asked for data on out of hours call-outs from Rhyl, the reality of cover that neighbouring fire and rescue authorities provide to North Wales, and information on alternative suggestions that have been put forward.

“There is a complex and very difficult assessment to be made and I hope to meet firefighters shortly to discuss further.”

The MS for Vale of Clwyd, Gareth Davies, has also raised his “deep concerns” about the impending implementation of the Emergency Cover Review.

Mr Davies said he has been approached by sources in his constituency and across North Wales, who wish to remain anonymous, about the potential dangers of such moves by NWFRS.

He has written to both the chair of North Wales Fire Authority, Cllr Dylan Rees, and to Ms Docx, outlining his concerns.

“I feel this is a short-sighted and knee-jerk reaction to the current climate we’re facing,” he said.

“The priority always has to be the safety of the public, and I feel such a move to eradicate wholetime fire stations in Rhyl and North East Wales will have dire consequences for the safety of the public and the future integrity and trust of the North Wales Fire Authority and Fire and Rescue Service.

“I therefore request the senior leadership team and decision-makers in the authority to think again on this matter and work in a manner which is cost-neutral, whilst retaining the current wholetime model that the area currently benefits from 24/7.”

In response, a NWFRS spokesperson said: “We encourage all members of the public to express their opinions both formally and informally, and do not discourage petitions as they constitute an important mechanism which empowers local people to have a voice on local fire and rescue matters.

“However, petitions will not be considered in isolation, but as one piece of evidence and information which contributes to an overall picture of public opinion.

“We encourage people to complete either a paper or online questionnaire to record their views in detail.

“The consultation does not close until September 22 and no decision will be made until the feedback has been fed back to and considered by the fire authority.”