Portsmouth City Council leader Councillor Steve Pitt has raised urgent safety concerns as the city’s fire stations currently have no operational aerial ladder platform (ALP) — a specialist fire engine vital for rescues in high-rise buildings. The absence of this equipment in the city poses serious risks amid Portsmouth’s many tall buildings and critical infrastructure.
High-rise Rescue Gaps
The ALP, essential for fighting fires and rescuing residents from multi-storey buildings, is out of service at Southsea Fire Station due to age and unavailable parts. The nearest ALPs are stationed in Southampton and Basingstoke, meaning emergency response times could be dangerously long.
Emergency Access Challenges
Cllr Pitt highlighted the difficulty of moving an ALP from these distant stations, especially during traffic jams like the recent M275 closure that gridlocked Portsmouth. Normally a 44-minute drive from Southampton, it could take over an hour in heavy traffic — a delay potentially costing lives.
Calls For Equipment Swap
To address the crisis, Cllr Pitt proposed swapping the Basingstoke ALP with the inactive unit on the Isle of Wight, better suited for Portsmouth’s narrow streets. He warns that at 19 years old, Southsea’s ALP far exceeds the usual 15-year replacement cycle with no current plan for renewal.
Fire Service Response
A Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said they manage equipment availability based on risk and ongoing operations. They confirmed four ALPs remain in service across the county and assured that the lack of one in Portsmouth does not impact immediate fire response capability. The service is reviewing concerns and will respond to Cllr Pitt directly.
