Fire service plans deferred

Fire service managers had come up with a series of proposals to modernise the service in line with Government guidelines.

Their plans included introducing six 'first-response' vans to answer emergency calls ahead of fire engines, using the same crews to man both regular fire engines and those with aerial ladders and using retained fire-fighters to provide night cover in Harrogate.

The proposals have met with strong opposition, with the Fire Brigades Union saying the consultation work carried out was not good enough.

When the plans went before the county's fire authority for approval, members approved parts of the plan, but said decisions on night-time crewing arrangements in Harrogate and dual crewing of aerial appliances should be deferred and alternative options explored.

They also said that first response vehicles should be introduced to just one area as a trial and their impact be reassessed.

The union, which withdrew from the consultation on the proposals, had planned a rally of 200 members outside the meeting at the fire training centre in Easingwold, but it was called off.

The union's North Yorkshire secretary John Mitchell said: "A risk assessment showed that it would unsafe to hold the rally. Secondly, in relation to the geography of the site, it is such that even a dignified protest may well be perceived as confrontational and perhaps intimidatory."

Mr Mitchell made an impassioned plea to the authority not to accept the plan in its current form.

He said: "It is based on a strategy which lacks compassion and understanding and it will fail miserably."

After the meeting, he said: "I think that common sense has won the day.

"There has been a recognition that the consultation phase hasn't been carried out sufficiently well."

Harrogate MP Phil Willis, who spoke at the meeting, said: "This affects the fire and rescue service in the whole of North Yorkshire.

"The target is now conversation between the management and fire fighters."