PUBLIC consultation is underway to help a North-East fire service plan for the future provision of services.

The County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) consultation will run for 12 weeks until Monday, February 20.

Since 2010, the organisation has transformed the way it provides services to the community in response to a £6m cut in central government funding.

This year the Fire Authority agreed to accept the Government’s offer of a four year funding settlement, which results in a 19 per cent reduction, forcing the service to consider further proposals to reduce costs.

Colin Bage, deputy chief fire officer, said: “We would be very grateful if people could spare a few minutes to take part in our consultation.

“This is your fire and rescue service, funded by you and in existence to protect the community. Your help is invaluable to us as we prepare to make decisions about future spending priorities.

“It is important to stress that of the three proposals we are consulting on, none of them include closure of fire stations in County Durham and Darlington, reduction in the number of fire appliances that we run or fewer firefighters.

“In fact, we are currently recruiting our first intake of firefighter apprentices and we will be beginning another round of whole-time firefighter recruitment in the New Year.”

A document giving background information about the consultation and CDDFRS and can be viewed at bit.ly/consultation_2017-18

For a hard copy of the document please call 0845-305-8383 or email ServiceHQ@ddfire.gov.uk