Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell is calling on fire chiefs to clarify the future of fire stations in rural communities after reports that services across Scotland could potentially be cut back in terms of crew numbers and stations.
Mr Mundell is worried that further centralisation will see similar effects on the rural communities that he represents that has been seen with Police Scotland in recent years.
He is calling for urgent clarification for his constituents and says they shouldn't have to contact emergency services miles away from their doorstep.
Commenting David Mundell MP said: "I am greatly concerned to hear of any planned cutbacks to fire stations and crew numbers across Scotland and urgent clarification needs to be provided by fire chiefs.
"As has been seen with the centralised Police Scotland in recent years, it has been rural communities such as Clydesdale and Dumfries and Galloway who have been hit hardest by the closure of stations and my concern is that we would see similar happening in terms of the fire service.
"All too often now when it comes to our emergency services, the protection of the public is an afterthought to how money can be saved and that attitude needs to change.
"I hope that any proposals will protect our rural communities who simply shouldn't be relying on emergency services based miles away from their home.
"Centralisation simply hasn't served rural communities well at all and once again local people are left wondering if they will have access to an emergency service on their doorstep."