CHESHIRE'S fire chief has explained why he didn't attend a public meeting about the future of Ellesmere Port's fire service.

Steve McGuirk, his deputies and members of Cheshire Fire Authority, were criticised for not appearing at last week's Civic Hall meeting.

It was chaired by borough councillor Myles Hogg and attended by 80 firefighters, residents, councillors and Fire Brigades Union (FBU) officials.

The Fire Authority wants to implement an Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) which could see the Port's third engine replaced by a smaller, multi-purpose fire tender, as well as changes to fire-fighters' shift patterns.

Mr McGuirk said: 'We have always been totally open and transparent about our plans and have communicated vigorously.

'But the Fire Authority took the decision that the meeting had become too political. It is not for me to question the integrity of Cllr Hogg who, I understand, chaired the meeting impartially.

'The people quoted in last week's Pioneer were either elected members or FBU officials. We have already engaged in extensive consultation with both groups.

'We've been consulting on this since August 2003 when the first draft of the IRMP was made public.' The service has also distributed 42,000 fact sheets in the Port, presented its plans to the council, and consulted widely with Port firms including the chemical industry.

Mr McGuirk says he is aware of public concern about the potential loss of the third engine.

But he pointed out: 'Currently, 80% of incidents in the Port are small fires which present little or no risk to life or property. Having a full fire crew and large red engine attend them is dangerous and expensive.

'If a life-threatening situation occurs it means our resources are tied up. The smaller, innovative fire appliances are used extensively in places with similar requirements.

'We must keep the life-saving appliances, which will still be at Ellesmere Port, available for real emergencies.'

He said no Cheshire person has been killed in any incident with the chemical industry they have attended over the last 10 years.

Mr McGuirk praised the 'professionalism and commitment' of fire-fighters, who work hard in the Port to promote fire safety and fit thousands of smoke alarms.

He added:'The authority and the majority of our staff are committed to maintaining and improving the service's reputation.'