AN emergency hub could lose a fire engine as part of new plans to change services.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is reviewing its resources in light of challenges with the On-Call firefighter duty system.

As part of the proposal, the service would remove eight fire engines from eight multi-pump stations across the region.

A fire engine at Wyre Forest Station, on Stourport Road in Kidderminster, could be removed as part of the plans. The proposals would also see another fire engine at the station only be used to cover nights. The Wyre Forest station currently has four engines.

The plan would also see the turn-in time for firefighters increased to eight minutes.

The review will generate potential savings of £981,000 across the region that could be reinvested, according to HWFRS.

The report into the review of services states: "The Authority faces several challenges in ensuring that the On-Call firefighter duty system is sustainable and affordable for the future.

"The On-Call duty system is the foundation for fire cover across both counties, but in recent years has seen an increase in costs and the need for a larger number of staff required to support it, alongside a decline in the availability of some fire engines.

"There is also a need to develop and change some of the On-Call ways of staffing and working and this review proposes several new ways of utilising and staffing On-Call fire engines".

"No fire stations are being closed and there will normally be more firefighters riding the busiest fire engines.

"Should the Fire Authority approve the final proposal in June 2024 it would release funding which could be reinvested, supporting the core Response and Prevention strategies, and building a more sustainable long-term future for the On-Call staffing model".