CLOSURE OF FIRE CONTROL ROOMS

That this House notes the cross-party opposition to the introduction of regional fire control centres in the Fire and Rescue Service in England; further notes that 120 emergency fire control staff in the South West have received letters giving advance notice of redundancy, and that all seven fire control rooms in the region will close, and that this will be replicated across England over the next two years; supports the Fire Brigades Union in its opposition to regionalisation of fire control centres; is concerned that the Government's projection of call handling capacity at regional centres is far below the peak call volume currently handled effectively and efficiently by local fire control rooms during peak call periods including during floodings and other similar environmental events; and therefore calls on the Government to abandon the regionalisation of fire control centres.