Fire brigade launches consultation (From Warrington Guardian)

Fire brigade launches consultation

CHESHIRE Fire Service will this month ask residents what they think of the changes being proposed for its risk management plan.

In the final phase of the largest public consultation exercise the county's fire service has ever undertaken, a total of 3,000 residents of Cheshire, Halton and Warrington are to be asked to comment on the Integrated Risk Management Plan.

Residents will receive direct mail containing details of proposals being made by Cheshire Fire Service to improve services.

The initial plan was launched in November 2003 and outlines the service's aims for the next 12 months - with the aim being to develop a new plan each year.

This new development has come about following the publication of the White Paper entitled Out Fire and Rescue Service.

Commenting on the survey, Steve McGuirk, Cheshire's chief fire officer, said: "Historically, the fire service's role in rescuing casualties from vehicles has not been recognised or funded.

"In setting our plan it is important to recognise the full range of services we deliver to the community and the impact we can have on improved safety.

"In the first year we have made moderate changes which will see far more time utilised making people safer by raising awareness by running schemes like Drive Survive, fitting smoke alarms, improving incident intelligence and investigation and operational response to incidents involving hazardous materials and the chemical industry."

Mr McGuirk added: "Cheshire Fire Service and its personnel remain committed to fully utilising our knowledge and potential to prevent incidents and accidents whilst maintaining a first class fire and rescue service.

"The public support in completing this survey will ensure that they have been fully engaged and understand the logic of our proposals."

jsawyer@guardiangrp.co.uk