Firefighters in Wales have expressed their “deep concern” over proposals to merge the control room for Mid and West Wales with South Wales and relocate it to the headquarters of South Wales police in Bridgend.
Although a Welsh government panel was expected to reach a decision on funding for the project from its Invest-to-save fund on 20 February 2014, the Fire Brigades Union says it has not been informed of any decision.
The union also said that it believed that the fire authorities of both South Wales as well as Mid and West Wales had passed the merger following a feasibility study at the end of last year.
Grant Mayos, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales, said: “Our highly-skilled control room members have proven time and time again that local knowledge saves precious time in responding to incidents.
”We are therefore deeply concerned about how the loss of a dedicated fire control room in Mid and West Wales will affect the service provided to local communities — and the future of our members.
“The FBU in Wales has opposed this move from the outset and we have informed management of our serious concerns.”
