Dear Editor, - In response to the article, published in the Western Telegraph (September 29th), regarding cuts in the Fire Service, the article concerns the proposed withdrawal of 24-hour cover in Haverfordwest and the possible loss of the emergency tender.

It is not only Haverfordwest that will be affected by the proposed changes. Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven Fire Stations are also under threat of change. Both these stations work on the day-crewed system, which means that the stations are crewed by up to eight fire-fighters during the day and are unmanned during the night. Personnel are then called in via a pager system.

The proposed cuts to the service include two operational firefighter positions being removed from both stations, one of the watch manager positions being downgraded and a change of the current shift system of four days on and four days off to three on, two off.

This will mean groups of firefighters will only have one in five weekends off. As part of the day-crewed system the personnel at both Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock are expected to be on call in the evenings of their duty days as well.

As with the proposed cuts in operational firefighter positions in Haverfordwest these changes are bound to increase risk within the community.

The Fire Service within Pembrokeshire is working at a bare minimum. Ask yourself this: if my house catches fire and I can't get out or I am involved in a car crash and am trapped, who will get me out? The answer is the Fire Service. As a current serving firefighter at Pembroke Dock, let's hope you're right.

Graeme Callan 85 Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock.