D-DAY has been set for controversial decisions to shake up Hampshire’s fire service.


Fire chiefs from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority will meet on February 24 to discuss plans over how they will look to save £16 million from their budget.


After three months of public consultation deliberating over the future of the county’s fire service, fire chiefs will now look at the responses from the public.


More than 200 firefighting posts are set to be lost as chiefs look to “create a more relevant and efficient fire and rescue service”.


Hundreds of people attended public meetings and forums across the county and tens of thousands of people visited the fire service’s website to find out what is proposed for their area.


Deputy chief officer Neil Odin, pictured right, said: “We are really pleased with the level of feedback we have had from this consultation over the service’s future of our service.


“The number and quality of the submissions shows how highly our communities value their fire service and how important it is we take into account the views of the people we serve.


“We will now spend time reviewing all the submissions and feedback to help us form the final proposals that will shape the future of Hampshire’s fire and rescue service.”


Civic chiefs from Southampton City Council have said the proposals will put “lives at risk” with overnight cover at Hightown Fire Station reduced.


No fire stations would close, but Winchester and Gosport could see no full-time firefighters overnight.


Fears for the public’s and firefighters’ safety remain high as the service looks to employ smaller vehicles which will carry fewer crew members but will allow them to arrive at incidents quicker.