AN INVERCLYDE fire boss says he cannot give any guarantee that stations in the area will not be axed.

Mark Gallacher, group commander, and head of prevention and protection for Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, says the stations will be going under review.

A big shake-up could take place as part of a wider ‘transformation’ of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service which is out to public consultation.

Councillor Chris McEleny, speaking at a meeting of the fire scrutiny sub-committee, said: “Will existing stations remain in place?”

Mr Gallacher replied: “We are looking at do we have the right amount of stations in the right location?

“Do we have the right model?

“I cannot give assurances that we will retain all stations in Inverclyde, as it is not part of my knowledge.

“It is a higher level decision.”

But Mr Gallacher said he hoped stations would be kept in Inverclyde.

He said: “It is our aspiration to retain fire stations but they might not operate in the same way.”

Councillor McEleny urged his fellow councillors to agree that the council should take part in the Scottish Fire and Rescue consultation exercise. 

He said: “Simply put it will be unacceptable for any of Inverclyde’s fire stations to close.

“This consultation gives us an opportunity to make sure we get across what is important regarding future delivery of our local fire service.

“The future Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow, fire stations must be guaranteed, that is the message our council should be sending on behalf of Inverclyde and I look forward to Scottish Fire and Rescue confirming this will be the case as soon as possible.’’

Mr Gallacher said: “It’s your service.

“It’s your opportunity to advocate for these fire stations.”

The public consultation will end on May 14.