UK firefighters to be sent out on bikes?

Government proposals to modernise the fire service include sending fire fighters out on motorbikes to assess incidents.

Bikes and cars would be used to decide whether fire engines were needed, according to draft Government guidelines privately issued to fire brigades for consultation. Currently engines are automatically dispatched to all calls, although a large proportion turn out to be false.

” Might a limited response of, say, two persons in a light vehicle be appropriate to investigate an incident? ” ask the guidelines.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has ordered fire brigades to prepare to implement the government plans by November 2003.

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