No Fire Service cuts planned says Burton

Fire engines and services to isolated communities will not be cut, the minister responsible for the Fire Service, Mark Burton, said today.

Mr Burton said he had written to fire brigades nationwide reiterating the Government's commitment to services following "cynical election-year misinformation" over the plight of fire brigades by the opposition.

National Nick Smith was the first to claim cuts were on the agenda, followed by his colleague, Lindsay Tisch, who said he had more leaked papers which showed 68 fire trucks were at risk.

He said the Fire Service's fleet strategy paper, which sets out a review of the 800-vehicle fleet, said "appliance relocations and disposals will be inevitable".

Mr Burton said he had written to fire brigades giving an unequivocal assurance that:

* there were no plans to reduce fire appliances or services to isolated rural or any other communities;

* the Government would not allow any cuts to appliances covering isolated rural communities; and

* he expected the Fire Service Commission to upgrade vehicles to ensure maintenance of current levels of coverage and service.

"It is entirely understandable that local communities be concerned when faced with alarmist scaremongering," Mr Burton said in a statement.

"It is outrageous that any politician -- however desperate to raise their profile -- should raise and exploit those concerns over something as critically important as Fire Service coverage."

- NZPA