PROPOSALS for a new fire station in a growing city and a review of the way in which the part-time firefighter system operates are the main sections in a consultation launched by the brigade in North Yorkshire.

The latest community safety proposals are contained in this year's corporate plan published by the fire and rescue service, which is working to achieve its vision of saving an additional 125 lives by 2014.

The brigade is seeking public views on a new site for one of its busiest fire stations at York, where the current population of more than 180,000 is predicted to increase each year with new housing developments.

The existing station, in Clifford Street, is crewed 14 hours a day by 52 full-time firefighters who, in addition to normal appliances, have rescue boats and an aerial ladder for work on high buildings.

The station is in a converted Methodist chapel built in 1856, but director of community safety Chris Anderson said it no longer met the needs of a modern service.

He said: "The premises have undergone two major refits, but they do not provide us with the same level of facilities as other stations, such as the new one we have built at Harrogate.

"We need a building with better access for the service, as well as community groups and other partners with which we work, but this is a medium-term proposal and any new station would not be up and running until the 2009-10 period, after we have identified a suitable site, got a design and gone through the planning process."

Twenty-six of the 39 fire stations in North Yorkshire are staffed by part-time, or retained, firefighters who can be released from their day jobs to attend an incident, but the views of the service, businesses and the public are being sought on the future of the system.

Mr Anderson said: "Changing lifestyles and job opportunities further afield often mean that recruiting people from local communities in some areas is becoming a challenge.

"The service works closely with employers to ensure an effective balance between full-time occupations and part-time firefighter roles.

"This review aims to help in getting the best possible people for the job and that those working the retained system are adequately rewarded. We want to maintain what we have and build on it."

The plan is at www.northyorks fire.gov.uk or copies are available by calling 01609-788501.