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Search forFire plan sparks fresh concerns
Friday, November 07, 2008, 07:00
According to critics, cuts to local fire services are also threatened to meet the future running costs of the new regional control centre in Taunton, which will replace Devon's dedicated facility.
Opponents of the scheme also argue that the new regional headquarters is on a flood plain, and is vulnerable to rising water levels.
Supporters have dismissed the claims, arguing that lives will be saved, as firefighters will be able to operate more effectively with access to the latest technology.
Ministers have admitted the opening of the regional control room is likely to be delayed because of computer glitches.
The Fire Brigades Union has branded the national project a "disaster" and has called for a review of the plans to replace the 46 existing fire control centres – including the seven in the South West – with one for each of the nine English regions.
Tories attacked the "flawed" plans for the South West during a Parliamentary debate, branding it a "piece of vandalism".
Conservative frontbencher Mark Harper told fellow MPs that the cost of the Government's regionalisation plans had "spun out of control" with no guarantee that the move would actually improve fire services.
And while the Government had promised to fund the increased annual running costs for the regional control centres, put at £3.6million-a-year, this would only be for three years.
"After that local taxpayers are going to bear the burden," said Mr Harper.
"It is a typical case of the Government putting burdens on them and covering the cost for the first few years, after which costs must be met by those local taxpayers."
He added: "It could only be the present government who would choose to put the south-west fire control centre – something that is supposed to improve resilience – on a site on a flood plain that is at high risk of flooding."
A leaked letter over the summer from the head of the new South West Regional Fire Control company also revealed discontent about Government plans.
It warned that "it is highly unlikely" fire authorities would agree to move their operations into the regional centre voluntarily.
Former fire minister Parmjit Dhanda argued that lives would be put at risk by not moving towards regional centres, that will have tracking technology to show where every fire engine is and immediately identify the location of a caller. Appliances will be fitted with computers that can show building floor plans and show the quickest route to incidents. Most local control rooms do not have these facilities.
The majority of firefighters supported the changes, he insisted.
It was a "myth" that the site of the regional centre was at risk of flooding, he said.
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