KENDAL fire station is set to become a 24 hour station by the end of this year following firefighter staffing changes in Cumbria.

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

However, the proposal to change the town’s existing full-time fire cover to an eight-hour day shift model, with on-call fire fighters outside of those hours, met with a public outcry.

In response to the concerns, CCC announced revised proposals, including the day crew working a 12-hour shift rather than the proposed eight.

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

A spokesperson for CFRS said: “As part of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plan, a proposal to change the crewing arrangements at Ulverston fire station going from whole time to day cover only, was consulted on with staff and the public.

"Following feedback from the consultation, a decision was made to keep a 12 hour day duty crew at Ulverston and to better make use of the available firefighters where the risk and demand levels are needed within the South Lakes area.

"As a result of this, Kendal fire station will also change from having a 12 hour day duty crew to becoming a 24 hour station which will see a number of firefighters transferring from Ulverston to Kendal. The new duty systems at both Ulverston and Kendal will be in place by the end of the year and will ensure there is a greater degree of fire cover across Cumbria."

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “The return of full-time fire crew in Kendal is hugely welcome news.

“Naturally this should lead to vastly improved call out times and will make local people feel much more safe and secure.”