London fire chiefs call for ambulance merger
Fire and ambulance services in London could be merged under plans released yesterday (26th January).
The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority has called for the creation of more joint fire and ambulance stations, a joint headquarters and collaboration between control rooms to deliver a better overall service to Londoners as well as cutting costs.
London Fire Brigade predicts that £50 million could be saved by shutting 50 of the 70 ambulance stations in the capital and moving ambulances into nearby fire stations.
Fire authority chairman Brian Coleman claimed that greater collaboration with the ambulance service could provide an even better overall emergency service at less cost.
He said: "Together, the fire brigade and ambulance services should look at the potential benefits to Londoners of sharing a range of services from procurement, to property and 999 control centres.
"No options should be off the table when it comes to the London Fire Brigade and the ambulance service working more closely together."
There are currently three joint fire and ambulance stations in London, located in Barnet, Millwall and Acton.
Posted by Paul Clarke
