I WAS concerned to read that the retiring Fire Chief has suggested using powers under the 2004 Fire and Rescue Services Act, intended to help the Fire Service deal with a terrorist threat, being applied as suitable measures for handling road traffic accidents (RTAs).

The number of road accidents and their devastating consequences, of course appals us all. But to suggest that this requires the use of powers which, according to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, are for "extreme and unusual" events such as "terrorist threats, national disasters and fires on a massive scale" seems the wrong approach.

If it is possible to use such powers for RTAs to what else might these powers be extended by the rescue services in ways that, in other circumstances, might infringe our civil liberties?

However, it would seem possible to use provisions under the Act to introduce more locally responsive measures to deal with the particular problems we face in Herefordshire, via the Integrated Risk Management Plan. In this case I think we should all give the Fire Service our full support. I can only hope that this is what the Fire Chief had in mind and that his comments have been misinterpreted.

Michael Townsend OBE,

Spinney Grove, Hampton Dene, Hereford.