Proposals could see the merger of fire service control rooms

The proposals could see a headquarters in Cambridge directing operations in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Now Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has called on fire authorities in the east to form a joint regional management board by April 2004 to consider plans to merge fire control rooms.

The plans are being opposed by fire fighters' leaders who fear a regional control room would not have the same level of local knowledge of staff in the present county control rooms.

I think our experts will effectively be able to douse any fire of a merged control put forward by the deputy prime minister Peter Monk, Suffolk County Council

But the government believes there are too many small fire authorities and in future there should be greater co-ordination.

It argues that a regional control room could improve efficiency and save money.

In the East Midlands fire authorities are looking at a possible control room in Nottingham to serve Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

'Not financially viable'

Peter Monk, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for public protection, said the fire authorities in East Anglia had been working together for about seven years.

He said Suffolk County Council seriously considered the option of a merged control room two years ago and the rejected the idea.

"Our study came out very clearly against the idea. It was not best for response to calls and is not financially viable," he said.

Mr Monk said that unless new evidence proved the effectiveness of a regional control room he would call for the new regional management board to reject the proposals.

"Due to the fact that Suffolk, and other East Anglian authorities have worked together, I think our experts will effectively be able to douse any fire of a merged control put forward by the deputy prime minister," he said.

'Same or better service'

Norfolk's Chief Fire Officer Richard Elliott told BBC News Online that the Government was committed to the idea of regional control rooms.

Mr Elliott said: "I see no reason why the standards should not be maintained or improved (with a merged control room)."

Sharon Peverett, regional officer for the Fire Brigade's Union in East Anglia, said: "My main concern is the loss of the local service."

Ms Peverett said the loss of local knowledge among control teams could slow down response times.