Four new firefighters have joined the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to help meet tough performance targets (Sept 27).

There is one new recruit at High Wycombe, one at Amersham and two at Gerrards Cross.

The targets, set by the Home Office, expect the brigade achieve standards of fire cover to the same level as the top 25 per cent of fire services in the country.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "Standards of fire cover can be broken down into three main parts. Firstly the number of firefighters within the brigade, secondly the number of firefighters that crew fire engines and thirdly the attendance times of fire engines at fires."

The fire service took the decision to increase the number of firefighters following a public consultation where local people gave support to the idea.

Chairman of the Fire Authority, councillor Rex Lingham-Wood, said: "Bucks Fire and Rescue Service has provided excellent value for money for many years and we aim to continue to ensure that the brigade is efficient and effective."

Cllr Lingham-Wood said: "Our aim is to improve the standards of fire cover in an attempt to save life, reduce injuries and mitigate damage, thereby reducing the cost of fires to the community."

For full story see Friday's Bucks Free Press.