FIRE chiefs have been urged to "reconsider" plans for a shake-up of crews in Helensburgh.
Jackie Baillie MSP said residents could be at risk from proposals to reduce the area's full-time facility to a "day crewing" model.
That allows scrapping crew accommodation at the town's station - and cheaper refurbishment of the building as a result.
The station is one of several plagued with the same cheap concrete, RAAC, that had to be removed from John Logie Baird Primary and hundreds of homes in the north east of Scotland.
A service delivery review recommended changes and a public consultation is expected.
Crews would be based at Helensburgh from 8am to 6pm, with on-call crews evenings and weekends, as well as during the day if needed.
READ MORE: Helensburgh fire station shift change could cost jobs
Ms Baillie said the proximity of Helensburgh to Faslane and RNAD Coulport added heightened concerns.
The MSP wrote to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) about her concerns ahead of a consultation.
She said: “I know a number of fire services throughout the UK have moved to day duty models, however, the unique geography of Helensburgh and Lomond and the wider Argyll and Bute area presents an additional risk.
“It is unacceptable to remove Helensburgh’s wholetime fire station cover and rely on an on-call model, which has the potential to increase response times.
“The nearest staffed wholetime station would be Dumbarton, which also covers an area stretching to rural locations.
“However, firefighters are clear, only providing day crewing in Helensburgh could well lead to additional risks for residents.”
Area Commander Joe McKay is the local senior officer for Argyll and Bute. He said: "We are currently in the midst of a service delivery review, which aims to ensure that our resources – our staff, stations and appliances – are matched to operational risk and demand across Scotland.
“We also must address urgent property issues including stations affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which includes Helensburgh Community Fire Station.
“Helensburgh is one of a number of change options that have been recommended to progress to public consultation, which is launching later this month.
"Any permanent changes to our station footprint or how we deliver our services will only come after the public consultation process and a final decision has been made by the SFRS board."
The Advertiser previously reported that the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said there could be 14 fewer firefighters in Helensburgh as a result of the changes.
Colin Brown, executive council member for the FBU in Scotland, said: "The system is creaking already. They are looking to close more rural stations.
"It doesn't take much for a station to be inoperable before it closes.
"This is largely driven by the budget."
The Scottish Government insisted last month that the fire service budget was up £18.8 million.
