Dear Editor, - I am writing to you to register my strong protest at the proposed cuts to staffing levels at the Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock fire stations.

This proposal will undermine the fire fighting capability of the service in west Wales and will endanger the lives of the local population when emergencies occur.

My two parishes of Rosemarket and Burton have many elderly residents including the Williamston care home. What will happen to these people, who are unable to react quickly to emergencies, if the fire service is not able to respond with speed and with proper capability?

The reason we have had the level of manning at the Haverfordwest and other stations is because we have needed it. What has suddenly changed that makes the public protection committee think that the need for the people and equipment is no longer warranted?

I am also the port chaplain to the ships and seafarers of the Milford Haven Port. The port is embarking on a new venture to secure the import of LNG.

Proposals to cut back on the port firefighting capability are not logical.

Surely the authorities should be concerned with providing proper levels of firefighting capability around a busy port which handles millions of tonnes of potentially hazardous cargo.

This policy must be reconsidered. Firefighters who are trained and equipped must not be taken out of the front line of an efficient, valuable and essential service.

Rev C. C. Barnes The Rectory, Burton.