News / MP backs control room idea
ISLES MP and Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael has come out in support of establishing a single local emergency control room.
Earlier this week, Shetland Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell and local MSP Tavish Scott floated the idea in response to the centralisation of emergency services control rooms to the central belt of Scotland.
On Thursday, Carmichael said a control room should be set up in the northern isles to coordinate all local emergency services call outs.
He said he had been successful within the UK cabinet in making the case to retain the coastguard station in Lerwick, and a similar argument could now be made in discussions with the Scottish government.
He added: “A single operation involving coastguard as well as the other rescue services would be a good way of resisting any future threat to any service.
“I shall be speaking to the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin to see what can be done from the Westminster end.
“Ultimately this is about saving lives – politics should not come into consideration.
“I fully support Tavish Scott’s effort to highlight alternatives that could benefit the isles. Convener Malcolm Bell’s support in principle for Tavish’s proposal is also very encouraging, given his wealth of experience in the emergency services.”
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