The fire authority has dropped plans to cut firefighters and close some stations, which were the subject of a public consultation that sparked protests and strike threats.
A total of 1,776 people participated in the consultation, leading the North Wales Fire Authority to decide against reducing firefighter numbers.
However, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) pointed out that Rhyl and Deeside stations still face a significant downgrade in coverage.
Three options were considered in the proposals, with the first option involving the removal of night shifts at Rhyl and Deeside stations, leaving only on-call staff to respond to emergency calls.
One option considered removing one of the three fire engines stationed in Wrexham and reducing the number of firefighters.
Another option involved a combination of the first two, along with the closure of fire stations in Abersoch, Beaumaris, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, and Llanberis. This would have resulted in the reduction of 36 full-time firefighters and 38 on-call firefighters.
However, the fire authority has decided to focus on developing option one, with a final decision scheduled for December 18.
Dylan Rees, the chairman of the fire authority, emphasised the importance of taking into account the feedback received during the consultation when working on the development of this option. After a meeting on Monday, he stated: “The focus going forward should be on developing option one, which is the only option that does not included reducing firefighter posts.”
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) expressed its approval for the removal of two out of the three “austerity options,” but voiced concerns over a significant reduction in fire coverage in Rhyl and Deeside.
Duncan Stewart-Ball, the FBU’s regional secretary in Wales, stressed the necessity for investment in the fire service. “That’s why the FBU is putting forward options for improvement and growth, instead of these downgrading cuts and a downgraded fire service,” he said.
Becca Martin, a council member who orchestrated a petition against the Wrexham plans, expressed her delight that the “extreme measures” were no longer under consideration.
In Gwynedd, MPs Liz Saville Roberts and Hywel Williams, along with Senedd members Siân Gwenllian and Mabon ap Gwynfor, described the news as an “immense relief” for the communities served by Llanberis and Abersoch fire stations.
