Today I met with the Chairman of North Yorkshire’s Fire Authority to make it clear that I would not rest until recent changes to the fire services are reversed. The new Tactical Response Vehicles (TVRs) only accommodate two or three officers instead of the four needed to be present to enter a burning building. Fires don’t wait for anyone and it’s imperative that the requisite number of officers are on the scene as soon as possible so that, if necessary, they can rescue anyone caught up in the fire. I intend to take this matter further by raising the issue in Parliament and seeking a meeting with Fire Minister, Nick Hurd. I consider the current system which is designed to save on manpower costs and is the only one of its kind across the UK, to be very dangerous and lives could be lost unnecessarily. I am determined not to let matters rest until the policy is reversed.
