TOWN Hall bosses have raised “serious concerns” over the future of fire service cover in Harwich and Manningtree.

Essex Fire Service has come up with three proposals to save up to £7 million a year following Government cuts.

But all the options would see Dovercourt Fire Station’s day-time crew downgraded to an on-call service, while Manningtree Fire Station could lose its smaller off-road Pinzgauer engine, which is used to get into narrow streets and to tackle blazes on farmland.

It is feared that due to a lack of oncall firefighters, at times there will not always be enough people to crew the four-man engines and appliances would need to be called in from other towns.

Tendring Council cabinet said none of the options put forward were acceptable as there was sufficient evidence the proposals would provide adequate cover in some parts of the district until it could be proven that the necessary recruitment for on-call coverage could take place.

Council cabinet member and Manningtree councillor Carlo Guglielmi said: “There are not enough staff to cover at the present time and several measures are being looked at to increase the number of on-call firefighters.

“They are looking at a new quick response unit and training staff currently carrying out admin duties.

However, these are at an early stage.

“I am very concerned to support anything that will leave parts of our district without enough cover.

“It is also imperative that the Pinzgauer is replaced.”

Town councillor Ivan Henderson has called on Harwich residents to choose the fourth option in the consultation – not supporting any of the proposals.

A spokesman for the fire service said the proposed changes were part of an ongoing consultation, which closes on April 25.

He said: “Tendring Council’s views will be taken on board and considered, along with all consultation responses, before any final decision on the future of the service is made.

“All of the proposals in the consultation came about through sophisticated modelling, which ensures that response times across the Essex stay within the set targets.

“The three options for change all balance prevention, protection and response, while ensuring we remain financially viable.”