FIREFIGHTERS claim lives could be at risk as plans to screen emergency calls are voted in.

Under new plans, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will not automatically answer every call.

Instead, where a building is known to have an automatic fire alarm, extra checks will be made first.

The move was voted in by members of North Yorkshire's Fire Authority at a meeting yesterday.

But the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claimed the move could put both the public and fire crews at risk.

Ian Watkins, secretary of the North Yorkshire branch of the FBU, said: "This new move will endanger the lives of fire crews and residents.

"We have all answered false alarms which turn out to be real fires, and what about the possibility of arson attacks? We are concerned as, by the time we get there, if the call is screened, it could be too late."

He said added danger could come from a fire spreading in the time it took to reach it if extra checks were made.

Last year, the brigade answered 4,100 automatic fire alarm calls, with 97 per cent being false alarms.

It costs the service £120 every time a retained crew is sent, plus the time wasted in reaching the alarm.

Fire chiefs fear lives are being put at risk if crews are heading to a false alarm when a genuine call comes in.

To combat the problem, a database of businesses with automated alarms could be made.

When the system showed an automated alarm sounding, further checks would be made to see if it was a real emergency.

The brigade has so far logged 10,000 of the estimated 25,000 buildings which have automated alarm systems in its region.

North Yorkshire chief fire officer Nigel Hutchinson said: "Agreeing this means we will have cover to tackle real fires.

"If we carry on going to all false alarms, then we are depriving the community of the cover needed to tackle real fires."

The fire service has also come under criticism for a proposed fast-action response fire unit - which the FBU says could put crews' lives at risk.

The service is to bring in small community safety vehicles to boost its ranks. The two-man vehicles will be used primarily to spread a fire safety message in the community.

But they will also be stocked with hose reels and foam pumps plus devices to cut free trapped drivers.

In emergencies, if they are the nearest vehicle, they will be sent as a rapid response unit.

The crew's aim will be to render help on the scene until the main fire engines arrive.

However, Mr Watkins said: "They are a danger to the crews. How long will it take for back-up to get there?

"It could take up to 18 minutes for a fire engine to get there. What we desperately need are more crews and not more vehicles."

He feels fire crews may take risks before the main engines arrive and be at risk of serious injury without back-up.

Eight of the vehicles are to be based in the brigade's area, including one at Richmond.

Mr Hutchinson said: "It does carry firefighting equipment, but this is something we want to use to develop our educational side of things.

"The fire intervention matter is something that has to be spoken about with the FBU at length."