Fire service revamp plans

Plans to transform Staffordshire's Fire and Rescue Service with three new vehicles and a greater emphasis on prevention have been published.

A six month consultation process with residents showed that people want fire and rescue resources to be focused on areas of greatest risk to life.

The feedback has been used to develop proposals for a safety plan for 2008-2011.

It will see increased proactive work in the community aimed at preventing fires before they start.

Communities and businesses in Staffordshire will now be invited to comment on the details.

The plan includes the introduction of three new fire engines called targeted response vehicles (TRV). These will only be operational during the day and can deal with instances of small fires thereby freeing up the traditional fire appliance which need more firefighters.

The TRV, has been trialled at Hanley fire station, Stoke-on-Trent.

Consultation on the safety plan begins today and will last three months.

Alan Doig, Chief Fire Officer for the county, said: "To ensure we continue to improve our standards and achieve a level of negligible fire deaths and injuries in Staffordshire, we need a new plan with fresh ideas to make this the safest place to live, work and visit." For information visit www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk