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View Full Version : Concern over fire service change



Nwicker60
25-Sep-13, 16:51
Centralisation may not result in an acceptable service - leader
THE leader of the Highland Council Councillor Drew Hendry has written to Pat Watters, Chair of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board to express his deep concerns about the proposal to close its Inverness control room and to move to two control centres based in Dundee and Johnstone.
He wrote: “The Highland Council has real concerns that the move to two control centres, one in Dundee and one in Johnstone, may not provide an acceptable level of service to remote and rural parts of Northern Scotland. One of the recognised strengths of the existing service is that emergency calls are handled by staff who are familiar with Highland & Islands.
“The proposal to close the Inverness control centre does not recognise that Inverness and the wider Highland area is a fast growing region and that its requirements for the future need be considered in the context of increasing demand. The Highland Council firmly believes that retaining a control centre in Inverness will enable the Service to demonstrate the principle of giving equal importance to the North of Scotland and by recognising and valuing the skills and expertise of its staff here.
“Whilst the recommendations are being made in the context of a property review, it is our concern that the impact will be felt in terms of service delivery and by the staff who work within the service. I would urge you and your colleagues on the Board to give this issue the most serious consideration and seek to find ways to support the Highlands and Islands through retention of the Inverness centre.”