Plans to review the status of fire control in Cornwall are part of an effort to continually improve the service and ensure sustainability for the future, Cornwall Council have said.

Responding to claims that the fire control centre in Cornwall could be closed as a way of cutting costs, Cornwall Council have said its review is part of its plans to ensure it is making the best use of public money.

The Packet contacted the Council after the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) announced they would be lobbying outside the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting at New County Hall in Truro tomorrow (Thurs Oct 6). 

Responding to The Packet's questions on the FBU's claims, which include the plans were part of a cost0cutting exercise and not fully costed, a spokesperson for Cornwall Council said: "Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has been looking at all areas of the service to make sure we are making the best use of public money, continually improve the service and ensure sustainability for the future.

"There is an ongoing project to review Fire Control (the function of taking 999 calls and mobilising fire engines to emergencies).

"A number of proposals are being looked at.

"No decisions have been taken, but staff will be kept fully informed, and as the project continues more information will be provided as it becomes available."

Announcing this week's action, FBU regional secretary Guy Herrington said: "Firefighter control staff use specialist skills and knowledge to save the lives of the public.

"Now they’re calling on the public to back them as the fire service looks to shut their service down completely.

"Their highly specialised skills and knowledge are irreplaceable.

"Simply bundling in these calls with another emergency service would result in a far worse service.

"It would likely result in lives lost, and it would certainly result in longer attendance times, a greater risk to the public, and a greater risk to firefighters.

“This is a purely financial decision – it’s simply about cost-cutting, but it hasn’t even been properly costed.

"There is an alternative option: proper investment in local fire control, and a formal partnership contract to provide future resilience during large scale incidents and extremely busy periods, such as the heat wave in August."