Cuts to Penistone Fire Service
Local residents are angry about the reduction of fire engines in Penistone from two to one. The fire chief stated at a public meeting (15/2/05) that he was not there to sell the proposal - just to give the reasons behind it (Barnsley Chronicle). These were based on Penistone having a relatively low call-out rate. Of course, that may have been largely true for a particular snapshot in time but does not accommodate the rapidly increasing population or the greater fire risk of increasingly hot, dry summers.
The logic of reducing our fire cover is questionable, as Penistone is rapidly and relentlessly expanding. Our local Labour MP, Mick Chapham, is quoted as saying "The cost saving is so small, to remove the second fire engine, that it is really not worth considering and it could put lives at risk" and our local councillor, the late George Punt, said something similar. It had been all decided in advance.
In May 2005, it was announced that the fire engine would not be cut until the new Dodworth by-pass was completed as the new road would shorten the journey from the Dodworth depot. In fact, many parts of the Penistone area are remote and need good local knowledge for rapid access. Other areas of South Yorkshire are also being affected by similar rationalisation plans, with a view to reducing staff costs. This is at a time when local taxation income is increasing through residential house-building.
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The proposed new supermarket requires the Fire Station to move. This is most likely to be the 'real' reason, as the above cost savings alone don't make any real sense. I would like to add that our volunteer fire crew do an excellent job and I have been personally thankful of their help.
Ambulance Cover
We lost our permanently based ambulance a few years ago, although we still have well-trained paramedics with local knowledge and this must save valuable time in an emergency. They provide a rapid reaction and have the right equipment to deal with emergencies such as heart attacks but they cannot transport casualties to hospital.
Patients must be taken to a Barnsley hospital for serious problems and that takes time. There are also unpaid volunteer first responders available, trained to deal with the more common emergencies.
