Regional Fire Control Centres could undermine public safety (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Regional Fire Control Centres could undermine public safety

August 10, 2005 4:05 PM

Regional Fire Control Centres could undermine public safety

It has been announcing that existing Fire Control Centres in England will be replaced with nine Regional Centres, the Regional Centre for the West Midlands will be based in Wolverhampton. Colin Ross, Wolverhampton Liberal Democrat spokesperson said "The Government has said there is a need to modernise the system, but this cannot be done in any way that endangers lives. The ODPM's one-size fits all approach to Fire Control Rooms is a mistake. If this goes wrong, there could be dire consequences for public safety."

The plans have been opposed by fire fighters' leaders who fear that regional control rooms will not have the same level of local knowledge of staff in the present county control rooms.

Colin Ross concluded by saying "There is also an impact on employment, it appears this is good news for Wolverhampton, but these reforms will cost jobs elsewhere in the region. The Government should look carefully at all the impacts of these Regional Fire Control Centres."