On 8 October, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority will consider a proposal to maximise the operational life of the existing Droxford Fire Station building. This would involve continuing to operate from the existing building for as long as it remains safe, rather than undertaking a proactive rebuild.
We recognise that this has caused some concern locally about the future of the fire station. The information below aims to answer questions residents may have, and provide some useful context on why we are proposing to maximise the life of the current building before investing in a replacement.
Questions & Answers
Is Droxford Fire Station closing?
There are currently no plans to close Droxford Station, and it continues to operate as normal.
What is the Fire Authority being asked?
Following a review of planned spend on vehicles and building projects, the Fire Authority is being asked to make full use of the existing Droxford Fire Station building and only rebuild it when a replacement is required to maintain a safe and effective operational facility.
Why do you need to delay the project
The changes to some capital projects is being suggested due to a combination of increased costs the service has seen this year, the need to invest in frontline operational priorities, and the drive to provide best value for money to the taxpayer.
Since April, we have also identified some operational areas that we want to invest in. The proposal going to the Fire Authority recommends redirecting capital funding to support frontline services, including more firefighter posts.
What are the problems with the station?
Droxford Fire Station has several structural issues, including problems with the roof. The building’s condition is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. We are closely monitoring the roof, but a period of severe weather could make the building unsafe for crews. It needs to be replaced so our crews have a modern, fit-for-purpose workplace.
Is the station currently safe to use?
Yes. The building is currently safe to use, and firefighters continue to respond from Droxford Fire Station as normal. We are continuing to monitor it closely so that our crews can use it safely.
How long will the existing station remain operational?
The existing station building could remain safe to operate from for months or even years. Its condition may be affected by factors such as severe weather, so we will continue to monitor the building closely. Firefighters will continue to operate from the station while it remains safe for them to do so.
What will happen if crews cannot operate from Droxford?
Keeping our communities safe and maintaining fire cover across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is our highest priority.
As part of the initial rebuild plan, we were already considering suitable local options, which could include temporarily relocating crews to nearby stations such as Bishops Waltham and Wickham. If our monitoring shows that the building can no longer be used safely, these same temporary arrangements will be put in place.
We will keep any temporary arrangements under close review, to make sure appropriate cover remains in place.
What would happen to the Droxford fire engine?
We are currently considering the available options should temporary relocation of the Droxford fire engine be required.
Will the station still be rebuilt?
Rebuilding Droxford Fire Station remains our intention. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority has agreed in principle that the station should be rebuilt. In the meantime, this proposal would help us maximise the building’s usable life while we carefully consider when the rebuild could take place.
When will the rebuild take place?
There is no confirmed date for the rebuild at this stage. We will continue to consider the available options, costs and timescales, and will share further information as soon as there is a clear and affordable plan.
What is the Service doing about the current funding challenges?
Fire and rescue services across the country continue to face increasing demands, rising costs and evolving risks. Despite this, funding has not kept pace with these growing pressures.
We are actively making the case to Government for fairer and more sustainable funding that properly reflects the full breadth of our responsibilities and the essential role we play in keeping communities safe.
At the same time, we continually look for opportunities to deliver efficiencies and reduce costs. However, each year it becomes more difficult to identify further reductions without directly impacting the frontline. Across the sector, some fire and rescue services have already had to consider measures such as station closures. While we are not at that point, without fairer funding for fire and rescue services, it is not something that can be completely ruled out in the future. Therefore, we are looking at ways to maximise the life of our buildings and vehicles, to make the most of our budget.
We will continue to work with national partners to press for funding arrangements that better reflect the risks facing our communities and provide the investment needed to maintain a resilient, effective and sustainable fire and rescue service for the years ahead.
How can residents have their say about the future of the station?
There are currently no plans to make any permanent changes to operational arrangements at Droxford Fire Station, or at any of our other stations. Should this position change in the future, we would engage fully with local communities, residents and partner organisations as part of any proposal.
How will residents and local representatives be kept informed?
We know how important it is for residents and local representatives to be kept informed. We will update this web page following the Fire Authority meeting on 8 October and share further information as it becomes available.
