Last updated at 11:48, Saturday, 23 June 2012

FIRE crews have been asked to attend incidents miles outside the areas they cover since their call handling service was moved outside the county.

By Gareth Jones

On June 1, the handling of emergency calls to the fire service in Cumbria was handed over to a control room in Cheshire. Three weeks on, union bosses in both counties have expressed fears lives could be being put at risk by the change.

The Evening Mail understands there have been incidents where fire crews have been asked to attend jobs which could have been reached more rapidly by teams in other areas of the county.

Earlier this month, a crew from Barrow was asked to attend a road traffic collision outside the town while, at the same time, officers from Ulverston were sent to a fire at the Devonshire Dock Hall. This is despite Barrow Fire Station having the main responsibility for fires at the shipyard. A crew from Barrow was asked to travel to Maryport – a 60 mile journey – despite teams in the Workington area being a fraction of the distance away.

In a separate incident, officers from Frizington were called to Coniston (34 miles) despite Barrow and Ulverston being closer.

In both incidents, the officers alerted control and teams closer to the incident attended.

Ade Kevern, secretary of the Cumbria Fire Brigades Union, said the new system is putting lives at risk.

He said: “This will eventually lead to someone losing their life.

“The longer it takes for a crew to respond to a fire or a road traffic collision, the more lives are being put at risk.

“The changes we have seen prove that the new system doesn’t work.”

The union has also raised concerns about the lack of training given to staff in Cheshire and their knowledge of Cumbria.

In a letter to the Cheshire Fire Authority, Kevin Brown, secretary of the Cheshire Fire Brigades Union, said: “Responsibility for any such errors in mobilisation will fall ultimately on those people responsible for taking the decision to close the Cumbria Fire Control.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: “The regionalisation of emergency call rooms has been an utter waste of money, which could potentially put people’s lives at risk.’’

In a joint statement Cumbria and Cheshire Fire and Rescue said: “We refute entirely issues raised by the FBU over staffing levels, training and health and safety. We are, however, continuing to work closely with Control staff in Cheshire to refine the processes so we can provide local communities with the most efficient and resilient service we can.”

Dominic Harrison, chief fire officer at Cumbria County Council Fire and Rescue Service said: “Public safety is always our top priority.’’

First published at 10:37, Saturday, 23 June 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk