COUNTY Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade is to consult communities on the most radical changes to take place in the fire service in 50 years.

Consultation with the public will be held as a result of a Government directive to all fire authorities to develop an integrated risk management plan, for their services by the end of the year.

It is hoped the plan will help save more lives, reduce injuries and protect property and the environment.

It is part of a national directive of modernisation and reform, calling for brigades to devise the integrated risk management plan to assess risks to life and injury to the community.

Emergency responses used by brigades date from just after the Second World War and the Government wants a more modern system that will focus heavily on local needs and issues.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Brigade is to consult local communities about the review in the next few weeks.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Paul Henderson said: "Our current fire service plans are based on outdated emergency responses developed in 1947.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 a fire risk assessment of buildings and the response time by the brigade to these, and takes no reasoned account of real-life risk from fire in our residential areas. These 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. New plans will consider all life risks in the community and develop effective community safety strategies which are based on reliable data.

The work will be carried out by the brigade in consultation with other outside agencies, the community and neighbouring fire brigades.