PEOPLE across north Hampshire can decide the future of Hamsphire fire service after chiefs agreed to let the public have its say.

After 18 months of asking to members of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service for their “thoughts, ideas and concerns” over its future, the Hampshire Fire Authority agreed to a public consultation.

From Monday, September 14, the public will have three months to say how they would like their fire service and their nearest station to be operated.

The risk review sees 215 fire fighting posts lost over the next four years as Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service looks to save £12.2 million from its budget.

In Basingstoke, the number of full-time firefighters will be reduced from 33 to 25, covering both day and night either by immediate shift or on-call.

The third of its traditional fire engines will be replaced by an intermediate vehicle, while the station will gain a rapid response vehicle.

The savings from the plan just for Basingstoke could total £469,052.

Fire stations such as Hartley Wintney, Odiham, Overton, Tadley and Whitchurch will see the total number of personnel drop by two, from 12 to 10, while Kingsclere will see a reduction of four, from 12 to eight.

Members of Hampshire Fire Authority questioned fire chiefs about the content of the risk review document which highlights how the service will change.

Presenting the report, deputy chief officer Neil Odin said the service was working in a "changing environment".

He said: "Our service must change with these challenges."

Mr Odin said that fire stations would respond in “three waves to attack when an incident occurs” explaining that stations would respond with smaller, first response vehicles, intermediate vehicles and then traditional fire engines.

Fire fighters would also be working more closely alongside colleagues in South Central Ambulance Service.

Chief Fire Officer Dave Curry stressed no stations would close nor would there be any compulsory redundancies.

Hampshire County Councillor for Fareham Portchester, Roger Price, said: “My concern is that we two riders in a small unit attending a fire and could be under pressure to go in and attend fire and use breathing apparatus.”

He added that although he agreed with putting the proposals out for consultation he had a “number of concerns”.

“I’m not totally supporting the content in here,” he said.

Cllr Chris Carter, Fire Authority chairman, said: “While there may be changes to the way we provide our services, the safety of the public and our fire fighters remains our absolute priority.

“As council tax payers, the Hampshire public are our customers and so it is absolutely right we give them a voice in how their fire service looks in the future.”

Chief Officer Dave Curry said: “We want to provide a smarter, more relevant and more efficient service to the residents of Hampshire while addressing financial challenges.

“Our ambition continues to be the best fire and rescue service in the country and to make life safer for everyone in Hampshire.”

People can lend their thoughts and opinions to the consultation via a confidential online questionnaire or at public meetings. Documents will also be available in libraries, GP surgeries and other public places.

More details will be available from Monday on Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s website on www.hantsfire.gov.uk/a-safer-hampshire.