Fire call centre 'ready to open'

Fire control staff who handle 999 calls for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are to be the first to move into a new control room.

While staff are being trained Avon Fire and Rescue will handle their calls.

The centre on the Blackbrook Business Park in Taunton, Somerset will replace seven control rooms for the six fire and rescue services in the South West.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS) said it had sufficient capacity to handle the additional call traffic.

'First-class service'

Kevin Pearson, chief fire officer for AF&RS, said the public would continue to provide the same level of service.

"Further discussion and decisions need to be made to appoint staff for our control centre at Lansdown, near Bath.

"Once this is agreed I am confident we can continue to provide a first-class service that will assist the transition process to the Taunton centre."

The South West consists of six fire and rescue services: Avon Fire and Rescue Service; Cornwall County Fire Brigade; Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service; Dorset Fire and Rescue Service; Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service; and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

In 2005-06, Avon Fire and Rescue handled 36,669 calls, Devon handled 33,192 calls and Somerset handled 12,876 calls