PROPOSALS to more than quadruple the number of volunteers who provide community safety help and advice are among projects planned by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for 2008-09.

The service already has around 120 people who support firefighters and community safety advocates in delivering key fire prevention advice.

And its draft Corporate Plan/Integrated Risk Management Plan 2008-09 it proposes increasing volunteer numbers to 500 by 2010 and 1,000 by 2013.

“With the support of our advocates, volunteers can make a major contribution to helping families and businesses avoid the tragedy and trauma which fires cause,” said Fire Authority chair Cllr Tony Hooton.

“Volunteers are often well-placed to influence their local communities and we believe they will be able to make an even greater contribution in the future across the whole range of services we provide.”

The draft plan is currently out for public consultation and residents and businesses are being urged to give their views using online forms on the service’s website, www.cheshirefire.gov.uk.

Alternatively, comments can be sent by e-mail to consultation@cheshirefire.gov.uk, or by post to Freepost, Cheshire Fire Consultation. Closing date is February 8.

Key proposals within the plan include:

Keeping the service’s Council Tax precept increase to no more than 3%.

Creating dedicated training facilities at Frodsham fire station to test and develop staff’s incident command skills

Continuing the development of midi fire appliances (TRVs) and combined appliances which operate as both a standard fire appliance and a hydraulic platform

Working with partners to cut the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads and increasing the trauma skills and training of staff

Publish a new Community Empowerment Strategy with action plans to help in engaging with Gypsies and Travellers, migrant workers and Muslim communities

Develop an environmental policy with targets covering consumption, waste, sustainability, biodiversity and pollution.