A FIRE chief has suggested that lives could be put at risk because of a union dispute.
Until recently, fire crews on Teesside have responded to ambulance service calls for help when they are closer to a heart attack victim than an ambulance.
In common with police cars in the area, Teesside fire engines carry heart-start machines, or defibrillators.
That informal arrangement is in danger because the national Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) has asked members not to take part in such schemes, in a row about resources.
John Doyle, chief officer of Cleveland Fire Brigade, said he was concerned that lives could be put at risk because of the dispute.
Cleveland FBU secretary Alan Blacklee confirmed that national officers of the union would be travelling to Teesside to discuss the situation.
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