East Sussex fire service approves restructure
Fire chiefs in East Sussex have agreed to relocate two fire stations following a review of services in rural areas.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said Newhaven and Lewes community fire stations should be moved elsewhere.
East Sussex Fire Authority approved the recommendations on Thursday.
Plans to reduce coverage during the day at Burwash, Mayfield and Herstmonceux stations were dropped and the authority asked for their retained officer levels to be increased.
Chairman Ted Kemble said it would help provide a fire service "fit for the future".
The restructuring covered 18 fire stations in the districts of Lewes, Rother and Wealden.
A spokeswoman for East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire authority agreed to maintain the existing crewing and operational availability arrangements at Herstmonceux, Mayfield and Burwash.
"[It] requested the chief fire officer undertake station specific recruitment and retention campaigns at each of the three stations, over a period of 24 months, starting 1 April 2011, to seek to raise the station retained strength."
Elsewhere, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSF&RS) wants to reduce the number of engines at Lancing fire station as part of restructuring plans to save £1.2m.
The restructuring proposals would also see stations close in Findon, Bosham and Keymer, which are manned by part-time firefighters.