RESCUE help for road accident victims in York could arrive much faster if North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Authority recommendations are approved.

York Fire Station may be in line to receive upgraded rescue equipment to help firefighters improve the critical service they provide in the first 30 minutes after an accident.

A report, written by deputy chief fire officer Nigel Hutchinson, identifies York as being one of the most "suitable" locations for new equipment given the number of road accidents over the last two years.

The specialist equipment would upgrade the rescue pumps and provide new cutting tools to cut free people trapped in vehicles.

At present, there are four emergency tenders in operation at Ripon, Tadcaster, Malton and Richmond.

The new plans would see two of these "dispensed" so an "enhanced rescue capability" can be delivered through the upgraded tenders.

As well as York, stations in Harrogate, Ripon, Selby, Tadcaster, Malton and Harrogate have also been identified as requiring updated equipment.

The report states: "The upgraded equipment for the rescue pumps will enable the first attendance crews to carry out the same rescue roles as are currently carried out with the emergency tender equipment. This enhances the service provided in the critical first 30 minutes of the incident."

The proposals were being presented to members of the fire authority at a meeting today.

Firefighters would be given extra training to operate the new equipment.

The existing system would remain during a changeover period until the new equipment was in place.

Updated: 09:28 Wednesday, April 30, 2003