THE Skipper's comments on the government's intention to have a "seven county" fire control centre should be strongly supported. There is enough evidence, from the shambles of an ambulance call centre at Tiverton, to show that in Cornwall, where the majority of place names are not in English, local knowledge on locations are absolutely vital. Not only where a property is situated, but also what type of appliance for fire fighting is suitable to reach the remotest of dwellings.
Too often ambulances have gone to the wrong village with similar sounding names to the added distress of the casualty. There are 17 Fore Streets in Cornwall, 17 Plain an Gwarrys. Being directed to Trevenson (near Pool) instead of Trevanson (near Padstow) is a mistake waiting to happen.
Government should accept that the ambulance system has got worse in Cornwall under re-organisation and not repeat the mistake with the fire service. This national government trend is a reason why the Cornish people should have a Cornish assembly, which can run all these public services most effectively.
Councillor Paul Holmes, Falmouth-Camborne Constituency, Liberal Party
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