Howarth Fire Station

One of the "concessions" made by the West Yorkshire Fire Authority was to support Haworth Parish Councils expression of interest in maintaining the station as a community asset,

that is run by and for the local community. 

Below are  some minutes of the meeting sent to us by John Moak of the Fire Brigades Union.

Councilor John Huxley chaired the meeting(JH)

JH outlined the WYFRS IRMP  and indicated that meetings had taken place between the deputy chief fire officer and the council. 

Because of these meetings the closure of Haworth Fire Station had been deferred for a period of two years.

This was to enable the Parish Council to carry out a feasibility study and meet with key partners.

WYFRS had discussed the lease /sale of the building, loan of equipment and training.

The idea of an emergency response centre was mentioned and intention of contacting the Police,Calder valley mountain rescue and the ambulance service.

Both  Keighley and Oxenhope councils had been contacted..

JH indicated that if the villagers present agreed, a group was to be formed that would report back by 1-12-13 on whether or not the project was a feasible one.

Some of the questions the group would seek answers to would be-

Will there be enough volunteers of trained personnel,

The financial cost, we may all have to share.

The Haworth Fire station personnel to be consulted ASAP

Chris Hopkins MP, the Prime Minister and Eric Pickles MP all to be contacted.

 JH  This is our idea, if we don’t do something, the fire cover will be reduced..

 Councillor Angel ... The fire cover is in our hands

Councillor........... It will cost

Councilor Mitchell(Oakworth) Explained that some of his remote hamlets were also covered by Haworth and he pledged his full support.

Public.....Where is the funding going to come from ?

JH......... I see the funding coming from Chris Hopkins ,government, localism and the big society

We have to do something.

Public Insurance for the Fire fighters would have to be linked to WYFRS.

We are not allowed to have a fire service, that’s why we are going for a first responder service..

Private fire services will be looked at as will industrial fire services.

Councillor Hill We have a two year reprieve for the feasibility study, no one has done this before, and we have to explore the feasibility. If we explore the possibilities we will find out yes or no.

JH  Indicated that it would probably take a village referendum to make the final decision.

C.Hill    Lets get the options on the table

Public........ What were the other options

JH ..... We have to talk to Bradford council

Public( Our own Joe O'Keefe ) explained the reality of the situation, you will not be getting trained Breathing apparatus wearers to carry out rescues your volunteers will probably only be qualified to squirt water at the job.

The council should be applauded but please channel your efforts in to trying to save what you have got now

Public£350,000 the cost of Haworth Fire Station, how many residents do we have, we have to explore ways of raising extra revenue 

Councilor R Our police station closed but we got it back, if we can hang on to the building we may get something back..

Public .....outlined the skills of the job, and that it was right that you were concerned, please fight for your service and your pump.

JH Indicated that the time had come for the villagers to make their decision.

Are you prepared to let us form a group to explore the possibility and also the possibility of a referendum?

Public A unanimous vote of Yes,

Public reminded the group of the importance of keeping the infrastructure.

Kath indicated that the Haworth appliance had been busy of late

You should be applauded, a round of applause followed.

..........................................................................................................................................................

But what about the station cat at Howarth - will she be considered in the "fursability study" ?

Howarth Station Cat - homeless? 

If you would like more background information about Howarth please click HERE

Response time are available HERE

If you are interested in the "bigger picture" of fire cuts across the UK please read Save Our Fire Service - its not just West Yorkshire these cuts will affect - the site is available HERE

For more information about West Yorkshire Fire Brigades Union, please click  HERE 

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

The old adage of a picture saying a thousand words is so true.

 John Moak sent us a photo taken on Saturday

 which we just had to use. 

Major General Julian Thompson and John Moak of the Fire Brigades Union. 

"On the way home from the rally I bumped into an old Boot neck, Major General Julian Thompson, we chatted about the corps and the lads(Marines) who had been arrested. I explained were I had been, and asked if he had a view on the governments austerity measures the answer as they say is in the picture." For information Major General Thompson was in charge of 3 commando brigade during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

TO send YOUR VIEWS on the proposed cuts in West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Provision Click

HERE  to view the consultation documents.

Then send your comments to 

Hannah Stoneman   or email her HERE

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Oakroyd Hall

Bradford Road

Birkenshaw

West Yorkshire

BD11 2DY 

Please remember WYFRS need YOUR INPUT -
 if you don't respond they will simply get out that well worn rubber stamp and push these cuts through. 

Fire, as this video clearly demonstrates, can be of danger to all sections of society. 

But we cant help but wonder what the Bradford Disability Partnership would say now to the cuts in provision and  increased response times in the Bradford area ..................... ?????????