Fire service cuts prompt petition A petition has been launched to save what fire fighters say is vital water rescue equipment being cut from stations in Chippenham and Trowbridge - to move it to Swindon and Dorset. More than 250 people have already signed it, fearing the cuts will affect rescue operations in the River Avon area which has some of the biggest flood risks in Wiltshire. The petition claims that members of the public will have to wait an hour to be rescued safely instead of eight minutes in the River Avon area because of the decision. “This will put the lives at risk of people caught in flooding,” said Becky Montague who started the petition, and hopes to get 500 signatures to send to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority to reverse the move.