Although much smaller in area than it was pre-1974, Lancashire is, nevertheless, probably the busiest Shire brigade in the country. Upon reorganisation, 5 stations in the north of the county went into Cumbria Fire Service, 7 into the new Merseyside Fire Brigade, and no fewer than 16 stations into Greater Manchester. In addition, 1 station - Widnes passed to Cheshire County.
There were however, some gains, principally from former County Borough Brigades, including Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn and Burnley, plus 2 stations in the east of the county, Barnoldswick & Earby from the former West Riding Fire Brigade.
From spring 2002 the Lancashire
County Fire & Rescue Service is made up of 6 Area Commands as follows:
Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, Central and Pennine.
There are 18 whole-time stations, (9 of which also have a retained pump) 4 day-manned stations (3 of which also have a retained pump) and 18 retained stations.
On 8th April 2003, the number of
retained stations was reduced to 17 as Oswaldtwistle Retained Fire Station
closed on that date, with the appliance being moved to the new Hyndburn
Fire Station which opened the same day.