Will a regional Fire Control lead to an 80% cut in 999 staff?

AT A recent meeting at Shire Hall, Conservative County Councillors revealed evidence that could show that the Government plans to cut the number of people answering 999 calls by 80 per cent.

In an article in this month’s Quedgely News, Parmjit Dhanda, the Fire Minister and Labour MP for Gloucester, has revealed that only 4 of Gloucestershire’s jobs will transfer to the regional control.  At the moment, Gloucestershire employs 22 people in its Fire Control Centre.   

Councillor Will Windsor-Clive, Conservative Cabinet Member for Emergency Services, commented: “We only have Parmjit Dhanda’s word to go on, but, if what he says is true, this is dire news. 

“If cuts in staff numbers are this size right across the region, I have serious doubts about the regional call centre’s ability to cope with 999 calls if there is any sort of region-wide emergency –such as further widespread floods.  This causes yet more serious questions which the Government must answer – and is yet another reason to put the regional Fire Control on hold.”