Broughton Fire Station is currently facing a staffing crisis that has affected its ability to respond to emergencies in the local area. Following two incidents in nearby Broughton Mills where the station was unable to attend due to insufficient personnel, the fire service is urging residents to consider joining as on-call firefighters.
The shortage has led to firefighters from the neighbouring Millom station attending incidents instead, resulting in longer response times and increased risks for the community.
Staffing Shortages and Impact on Emergency Response
Over the past nine months, there have been two notable occasions when the Broughton-in-Furness Fire Station crew could not respond to emergencies in Broughton Mills due to a lack of available firefighters. This shortage forced the reliance on Millom firefighters, who had to travel further to reach the scenes, thereby delaying critical emergency services.
Call for On-Call Firefighters
In response to this challenge, the fire station is encouraging people living in or near Broughton who are physically fit to consider becoming on-call firefighters. This role involves supporting the community by being available to respond to emergencies when needed, while also receiving pay for time spent and training provided.
Community Appeal
A spokesperson from Broughton-in-Furness Fire Station expressed concern over the recent inability to attend incidents, stating, “Another incident in the community that sadly we couldn’t attend. We are in desperate need of the people of Broughton to get behind the station and keep it up and running as we don’t want to lose it.” The appeal highlights the importance of local support to maintain the station’s operational capacity.
Supporting Local Safety
The recruitment drive aims not only to fill staffing gaps but also to strengthen community resilience. On-call firefighters play a vital role in ensuring rapid response times and effective emergency management in rural areas like Broughton-in-Furness.
By joining the fire service, individuals can contribute to the safety and wellbeing of their community while gaining valuable skills and compensation.
