ASHBURTON extended its Yuletide festivities today after learning that its fire station won’t be closing after all.

Fire chiefs announced last night that the massive public campaign to keep the facility open had paid dividends.

Firefighters in the town were the first to hear the news they had been hoping against hope for when area general manager Greald Taylor told them: ‘You’re jobs are safe. The station is safe. Carry on saving lives.’

Jubilant town mayor and crew manager firefighter Don Distin spoke for all his fellow campaigners when he declared afterwards: ‘We’ve been on a knife edge for so long over these proposals.

‘This is the best news ever. We really didn’t know which way the decision would go. Thank goodness it was the one we wanted so much – and one which common sense demanded. This is like Christmas all over again – only 100 times better!’

He thanked all those who had supported the team in its fight to save the station, in particular fellow crew manager Chris Stanton who collated statistics backed up arguments to keep the station operational.

Last night’s joyous announcement was nearly interrupted when the expectant crew answered a 999 shout involving a car blaze at Dean Prior.

Breathless firefighters returned to station in time to hear the good news about their future.

During last year’s consultation to consider the radical suggestions for change, the service held 27 drop-in sessions which were attended by nearly 2,000 people.

Some 3,818 responses were received with 3,232 completed questionnaires together with 205 written submissions and 381 email responses. In addition, five petitions were submitted with a total of 43,644 signatures.

Ashburton was one of eight stations threatened with shutdown as part of the Devon and Somerset brigade’s bid to make multi-million pound savings in the wake of government funding cuts.

The two counties fire authority is expected to vote on the final package of changes on December 10 at its meeting in Clyst St George.

Finalised proposals before members at next Friday’s meeting, which make no mention of Ashburton, are:

* Defer the decision to implement day crewing at Barnstaple, Exmouth and Paignton subject to a revised 24/7 crewing model being agreed with the Fire Brigades Union, including roving appliances, before the end of the 19/20 financial year.

* Close Budleigh Salterton fire station and allow affected firefighters to respond from Exmouth fire station.

* Relocate Topsham fire station to service headquarters at Clyst St George and relocate one of the fire engines to Middlemoor fire station with both fire engines relocated to HQ until an on-call crew can be established at Middlemoor.

* Remove the third fire engines from Bridgwater, Taunton, Torquay and Yeovil.

* Remove the second fire engines from Crediton, Lynton, Martock and Totnes.

* Introduce variable fire engine availability dependent on risk.

Lee Howell, Chief Fire Officer, said: ‘Last summer we consulted on a number of options for change. We have also recently received Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS) report which highlighted areas where we need to improve. After reflecting on staff suggestions, public feedback and considering how we need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Service, we have recommended a balanced set of proposals for consideration by the Fire Authority.

‘We are presenting a significant investment in our ‘on call’ staff which will directly improve the availability of our fire engines. At the same time, we are suggesting closure of one fire station at Budleigh Salterton, relocation of Topsham as well as removal of a number of low activity fire engines.

‘Importantly, we are confident that we can secure alternative ways of working with our whole time staff which will allow us to undertake significantly more prevention and protection activity which will also make communities safer.’