Kingsland Fire Station will stay open for at least another financial year, after the decision to close several London stations was opened to public consultation on Monday.
Residents of the affected areas, including Kingsland, Clerkenwell, Clapham, Whitechapel and Southwark, have expressed concerns over safety and emergency response times.
But a drop in the number of fires and overall incidents is being used to justify the proposals to reduce the services.
Ron Dobson, commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, said: “Compared to ten years ago, the Brigade attends half as many fires, a third fewer house fires and almost a third fewer incidents overall.
“In the future, the resources available to us will reduce and the number of people who can work for the Brigade and provide our services will also decrease.”
The London Fire Authority has said it will save £28.8m by closing 12 stations, removing 18 engines, relocating four engines and reducing the number of firefighters by 520.
The consultation on the Draft Fifth London Safety plan will continue for 12 weeks, ending at 5pm on Tuesday 28 May. Members of the public can have their say by visiting www.london-fire.gov.uk/lsp5.asp and attending public meetings taking place in London boroughs.
