Essex Fire Service takes over emergency planning in bid to cut costs | Jan 2012

Essex Fire Service is poised to take over emergency planning in a bid to cut costs, it has been revealed.

Current emergency planning staff employed by Essex County Council will now come under the jurisdiction of Essex Fire and Rescue Service as the civil protection and emergency management department, reports BBC News.

Chief fire officer David Johnson told the news provider that the move would result in cost savings of around £180,000.

Speaking after the service took over interim responsibility for emergency planning, Essex Fire Authority chairman Anthony Hedley said: "This is a forward-thinking move that will deliver a more efficient, joined up and pro-active service to our communities while reducing cost to our tax payers at a time when there is serious focus on doing all we can to provide value for money."

Mr Hedley added that the fire service is increasingly playing a more active role in community leadership and the move will help further this goal.

The new department will be officially launched at an event later this month.