Fire chiefs move with the times

I must respond to the article regarding the Fire Brigades Union's (FBU) concerns about centralised emergency control rooms. My concerns stem from working in this environment for more than 30 years.

As for the "lack of local knowledge" syndrome, much technology has evolved, including the extensive use of satellite navigation systems.

Whilst acknowledging the dedication of the existing staff in the local control rooms, Shropshire Fire Service has led the way in investing in such technology at a tremendous cost, allowing remote parts of Shropshire to be readily identified in locating an incident.

So why is there a problem now?

When the Chief Fire Officer responded to the FBU some months ago, he said at least control room staff will not have to travel far - it is a short trip down the M54 to the new centre.

Is it not really the case that chief officers like Alan Taylor, who are threatened by the consequences, will lose their jobs?

Once you are without the underpinning of a brigade's procedural centre - a control room - then who needs a Chief Fire Officer in the brigades that are to be swallowed up in the new organisation?

Please do not incur the council tax payers of Shropshire with any more expense Mr Taylor.

Do the decent thing and admit that Shropshire Fire Service, with its unenviable record of the worst fire-deaths in the country a few years ago, needs to move on.

Peter M Jones, Shrewsbury