Spotted today – an historic vehicle from the bygone age when Somerset had its very own fire service. Now we have to play second fiddle to Devon as part of a bigger and, supposedly, better force to tackle local emergencies. Porlock is in danger of losing its fire station because the brigade claims it can
not afford to keep it. That is what their financial top brass have suggested in this report. In fact the expense of keeping Porlock open is far outweighed by the cost in human terms of shutting it down. Porlock is a vital ingredient of an efficient service in an area where transport is challenging and local knowledge of paramount importance. I am not prepared to see the station shut without a considerable fight. I was delighted to march with hundreds of other people last weekend and have already raised the issue with our new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. He knows the risks. The family has strong roots on Exmoor. Fire and rescue is too important to be controlled by accountancy. I hope everyone will continue to respond to the Fire Service consultation on this issue
Surely the elderly Land-Rover I saw today could never be what is in store for Porlock? I sincerely hope not and will continue to fight to win the case for safety and common sense.