Leading Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst has called for a “rethink” of plans to trial a ‘rapid response vehicle’ at Watford Fire Station.

According to the plans – drawn up by the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service – the proposed new vehicle would be equipped to deal with 80 per cent of calls.

It would, say fire chiefs, be part of a mixed fleet that could provide a faster and more effective response across the county.

And it would enable the Watford-based aerial platform to be permanently crewed and available.

But at a public meting last week the rapid response vehicle was dismissed by one serving firefighter as a “car with 30 litres of water and a pressure hose”.

And Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst – who is leader of the opposition on Hertfordshire County Council and lead member for economic development at Three Rivers District Council – has now called for a rethink.

He’s concerned that the new vehicle will be instead of one of Watford’s two traditional fire engines, which are each equipped to deal with all incidents.

And he says the planned crew of three would be too few firefighters to enter a house fire – where a person could be trapped – until back-up arrived.

He says the case for the changes has not yet been made. And he is calling for the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service to provide the data behind the proposals – or to rethink them.

“I have real concerns that it’s a potential diminution of services for Watford, which is itself growing massively,” said Cllr Giles-Medhurst.

“I am struggling to see how it stacks up. And they have not given me and my colleagues the data and facts as to why they think this works better.

“They should rethink going ahead with the trial, as proposed, until they come up with facts and figures that shows that it stacks up to minimise risk.

“If they want to trial a rapid response vehicle it needs to be alongside two existing appliances – not instead.”

Cllr Giles-Medhurst says he is particularly concerned that reducing the crew of the rapid response vehicle to three firefighters, will limit the actions they can take.

He said: “It might be a bit quicker on some of the narrow side roads – but if it gets there with three firefighters, they still can’t go in.

“If they had four firefighters on the vehicle and they could gain entry, I would be happier.”

The plan to trial the use of a rapid response vehicle at Watford – as well as an intermediate response vehicle at Berkhamsted – is detailed in the fire service’s draft integrated risk management plan (IRMP), which is currently out to public consultation.

Fire chiefs have stressed that the rapid response vehicle would be a pilot scheme.

And, they have said, a decision on whether to roll-out to other areas – or even to keep in Watford – would depend on the outcome of the pilot.

Meanwhile other proposals in the draft IRMP include greater collaboration between the fire service and other emergency services, development of training opportunities and development of alternative shift patterns, to attract and retain firefighters.

And it is said the replacement of traditional fire engines with rapid or intermediate response vehicles would enable greater investment in training.

Cllr Terry Hone, cabinet member for community safety at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “The proposal to trial a new rapid response vehicle at Watford fire station comes in response to the changing nature of the risk profile in Hertfordshire.

“Our firefighters respond to a range of incidents beyond putting fires out, and as such the service needs to adapt in order to better deal with other call types we receive, including the support provided to police and ambulance colleagues.

“We think sole reliance on a ‘catch-all’ vehicle does not allow us the flexibility we need to meet new and emerging risks and call types.

“Watford is well-placed in the county to trial the new vehicle. Not only will it keep a traditional fire appliance, but the area is supported by cover from other local fire stations in Garston and Rickmansworth.

“The consultation process is ongoing so we strongly welcome other feedback from the public online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/consultations or at our final public meeting at County Hall, Hertford on Tuesday February 5 at 6pm.”