MP supports fire service shake-up (From Gazette & Herald)

MP supports fire service shake-up

A PROPOSED shake-up of North Yorkshire's fire and rescue service would greatly improve emergency cover across the county, according to Ryedale's MP.

Tory John Greenway said he backed the Government's improvement plans for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, which would see the number of fire engines based at Malton cut from two to one.

The overall proposals include getting rid of four emergency tenders, then bolstering the service by upgrading 14 pumps with equipment for use at road accidents.

In addition, there would be two new heavy rescue tender vehicles based at Tadcaster and Ripon.

One of the emergency tenders that would be lost is based at Malton, along with a standard pumping engine.

Mr Greenway said he realised residents were worried that this might halve emergency cover in the town.

"The important thing to stress is that currently Malton does not have two fire engines. The emergency tender is used for accidents and cannot be used to fight fires," said Mr Greenway.

"In my response to the county fire officer, I will ask for confirmation of the instances when both vehicles have been deployed in Malton to give an indication about whether there should be concern at the loss of this vehicle. Overall, I think the situation across the county will be improved."

Assistant chief fire officer Colin Chadfield said: "It's not so much about losing a fire engine - the emergency tender vehicles were fairly outdated machines. Overall, the changes we have made will cut down our response times across the county."

Former sub-officer Steve Ferry, who used to work at Malton Fire Station, said the proposed upgrades to the 14 pumps would reflect the evolving role of firefighters.

"During my 32 years in the fire service, road traffic accidents became more and more prevalent.

"Instead of being ten per cent of jobs it could be in excess of 30 per cent in certain areas," said Mr Ferry, of Peasey Hill Road, Malton.

Mr Ferry said specialist cutting and lifting equipment was being fitted as standard to many pumps, therefore there was less need for emergency tenders simply for use at accidents.

He said heavy-duty tenders for use at major accidents and disasters like the Selby rail crash were still essential.

The plans will be discussed at a public meeting at Malton Fire Station on Monday at 6.30pm.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, January 15, 2004