FIREFIGHTERS are launching a campaign against controversial plans to replace some North Yorkshire fire engines with 'tactical response vehicles', crewed by only two or three firefighters.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is planning to hand out leaflets in towns most affected by proposed cuts in the number of firefighters, including Tadcaster and Malton, and is also launching a special campaign website featuring a petition against the plans.

The Press reported last month that the number of firefighters at Malton Fire Station could be reduced by half under new proposals to review the service's cover.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has launched a consultation on a number of fire station proposals as part of the review, which has been ongoing since last year.

At Malton, which currently has 12 firefighters, the options are to replace the day crewed fire engine with one tactical response vehicle (TRV), which is a smaller vehicle crewed by fewer staff, or to replace the day crewed fire engine with one that is mixed crewed by day and retained staff.

Chief fire officer Nigel Hutchinson has said the staff would be reduced by natural turnover and possible relocations.

"A big part of this consultation is looking at how the service has changed over recent years," he said.

"From the analysis we have undertaken as part of the review, we have seen that the number of incidents we attend and the level of risk have fallen over the last 10 years, and this means that in some areas there is potentially an over provision of resources.

"There is, therefore, an opportunity to make changes at some of our fire stations in order to deliver a more cost effective service and better match resources to risk levels."