Regional centre plan may be at risk (From Warrington Guardian)

Regional centre plan may be at risk

MEMBERS of the Chief Fire Officer's Association (CFOA) say plans to build a regional control centre could be threatened by the union not supporting the scheme.

The association, which includes Cheshire's top firefighter Steve McGuirk, is concerned that if the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) does not offer its support it may slow down the implementation of the project.

Plans for a multi-million-pound fire control centre, which will replace the existing centre at Winsford, were given the go ahead in December.

Tony Hooton, chairman of Cheshire Fire Authority, said: "We have been working on this project for the past two years.

"It will give us a much better authority to cope with any major attacks.

"The worries about local knowledge are not that important when you see how easy it is with satellite navigation equipment."

But a survey by the Fire Brigades Union indicated 97 per cent of those asked did not want the Government to press ahead with the plans to build a north west control centre.

The survey also revealed 96 per cent of those north west members asked did not think fire control centres would improve the fire service response to incidents, while 97 per cent said they did not think a regional control centre would improve the safety of firefighters.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "Those who really know the fire service and what these proposals mean have given them a massive thumbs down.

"Those who will have to deal with the consequences of these proposals clearly have little confidence in them."

Meanwhile Steve McGuirk, vice-president elect of the CFOA, appeared alongside two other members before a select committee in London to explain why the project should get the go ahead.

The group of MPs was formed to consider what effects introducing the regional fire control centres would have on the service.

Speaking at the evidence session, the three officials said they could see 'very definite benefits' from the introduction of regional centres.

After the committee of MPs has heard all the evidence it is likely to produce a report for the House of Commons containing recommendations to the government.

The Government is then required to respond but not required to adopt any recommendations made.

l The research was conducted between January 11 and 17. YouGov interviewed 2,670 fire brigade union members.