A NEW standard is being set by County Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade to save more lives and reduce injuries.

The changes, which will respond to particular needs in the area, will be the most radical in the fire service in more than 50 years.

The plan will set new response times for fires and other emergencies, such as road accidents, chemical incidents and flooding.

Deputy chief fire officer Paul Henderson said: "Our current fire service plans are based on outdated emergency responses developed in 1947.

"These standards are based on fire risk assessments of buildings and the response time by the brigade to these, and takes no reasoned account of real-life risk from fire in residential areas.

"Residential areas are more likely to suffer fire deaths, injuries and property losses.

"The current assessments do not include incidents such as road traffic accidents, chemical incidents, trapped people or flooding.

"The new plan will consider all life risks in the community and develop effective community safety strategies based on reliable data."

The public, businesses and organisations will be consulted once the initial plan has been drawn up.

The Fire Authority has stressed that the plan will not necessarily mean financial savings for the brigade and would simply be what was best for the area.

Councillor Gordon Tennant, chairman of Durham and Darlington Fire Authority, said: "This is not an exercise to make savings. The final plan could result in savings but could equally result in a redistribution of resources or even require more financial investment."