CONTROVERSIAL changes that would have seen Cumbria’s fire service downgraded look set to be revised at a meeting today.

As part of its Integrated Management Plan, Cumbria County Council had proposed changes to crewing arrangements at Ulverston Fire Station.

The proposal was to change the town’s existing full-time fire engine to an eight-hour day shift model with on-call fire fighters outside of those hours.

However, concern was expressed that the plans would have ‘diminished’ Ulverston's fire service.

The changes would have left south Cumbria with full time fire engines in Kendal and Barrow. 

Currently Kendal is staffed from 8am-8pm. 

The changes proposed bringing forward pre-existing plans to create a new full-time night-shift crew at Kendal.

Now, Cumbria County Council has announced revised proposals, set to be considered by its cabinet today (March 22).

While the proposed changes at Ulverston and Kendal would still go ahead, the new day crew would work a 12 hour shift rather than the proposed eight. 

Steve Healey, chief fire officer, said: “We have listened to consultation feedback carefully and made some amendments to our original proposals. 

"The changes are consistent with our original aim of using available resources in the most efficient and effective ways to manage risk and ensure public safety.”

Ulverston town councillor Norman Bishop-Rowe said that it was a ‘step in the right direction’ although not a perfect solution.

Mr Healey said the changes would extend full-time cover and limit on call hours to periods with lowest levels of demand on the service.

“These changes would ensure that the south of the county will continue to be covered by two whole-time crews – one in Barrow and one in Kendal," he added.