This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/mid/8096291.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
New fire vehicles delay attacked New fire vehicles delay attacked
(about 1 hour later)
A fire service has been accused of wasting public money after it emerged only four out of 16 new appliances it ordered had entered active service.A fire service has been accused of wasting public money after it emerged only four out of 16 new appliances it ordered had entered active service.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue ordered them over the last three years.Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue ordered them over the last three years.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the fact so many appliances are not running is tying up "scarce capital resources".The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the fact so many appliances are not running is tying up "scarce capital resources".
The fire service said safety had not been affected and the existing fleet was able to do the job, while staff training on new vehicles took time.The fire service said safety had not been affected and the existing fleet was able to do the job, while staff training on new vehicles took time.
Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that Mid and West Wales fire service - along with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service - has been forced to seize part-built fire appliances from a manufacturer that has gone into receivership.Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that Mid and West Wales fire service - along with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service - has been forced to seize part-built fire appliances from a manufacturer that has gone into receivership.
It has added to the pressure on their own engineers in Neath Port Talbot, who are having to finish fitting out the engines.It has added to the pressure on their own engineers in Neath Port Talbot, who are having to finish fitting out the engines.
Wyn Edwards, assistant chief fire officer at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who also leads the all Wales appliance procurement programme for appliances, denied safety was being compromised by the delays in making the vehicles operational.Wyn Edwards, assistant chief fire officer at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who also leads the all Wales appliance procurement programme for appliances, denied safety was being compromised by the delays in making the vehicles operational.
It's not like ordering a Ford Focus. These are custom built appliances that take an awfully long time to build Wyn Edwards, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue ServiceIt's not like ordering a Ford Focus. These are custom built appliances that take an awfully long time to build Wyn Edwards, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service
'Advanced''Advanced'
"I can reassure people that the appliances we have already out there now are able to do the job," he said."I can reassure people that the appliances we have already out there now are able to do the job," he said.
"What we're waiting for now is a fleet of very modern, highly advanced appliances to go operational and that's happening very soon.""What we're waiting for now is a fleet of very modern, highly advanced appliances to go operational and that's happening very soon."
Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan, who is chair of the Audit Committee at the Welsh assembly, said he had passed on the information to the auditor general for him to decide whether there were grounds for an inquiry.Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan, who is chair of the Audit Committee at the Welsh assembly, said he had passed on the information to the auditor general for him to decide whether there were grounds for an inquiry.
"I am sure it will be up to the relevant assembly government department to look at this to make sure the money has been spent properly."I am sure it will be up to the relevant assembly government department to look at this to make sure the money has been spent properly.
Information requested by BBC Wales from all three Welsh fire services via a freedom of information request showed there were no significant delays in North or South Wales forces bringing new vehicles in to service.Information requested by BBC Wales from all three Welsh fire services via a freedom of information request showed there were no significant delays in North or South Wales forces bringing new vehicles in to service.
But with Mid and West Wales Fire Service - which cover the biggest geographical area of any of the Welsh services - it has been taking a long time for all the vehicles they bought over the last three years to go into action.But with Mid and West Wales Fire Service - which cover the biggest geographical area of any of the Welsh services - it has been taking a long time for all the vehicles they bought over the last three years to go into action.
For example, six pumps ordered in September 2007 were not delivered until December 2008. One of them has just begun operational duties, the other five still have not entered service - 22 months after they were ordered and seven months since they arrived.For example, six pumps ordered in September 2007 were not delivered until December 2008. One of them has just begun operational duties, the other five still have not entered service - 22 months after they were ordered and seven months since they arrived.
The FBU said this amounts to an "inefficient, poorly conceived procurement process". The FBU said it amounted to an inefficient and poorly conceived procurement process.
It said the long delays between order, delivery and entering service is wasting public money by "tying up scarce capital resources in appliances that are sat idle".It said the long delays between order, delivery and entering service is wasting public money by "tying up scarce capital resources in appliances that are sat idle".
That in turn, it said, puts pressure on existing, ageing appliances.That in turn, it said, puts pressure on existing, ageing appliances.
Part-built vehiclesPart-built vehicles
But Mr Edwards said building up a state-of-the-art fleet is a complex process - and that it takes longer to train crews in mid and west Wales because many only work on a retained or part-time basis.But Mr Edwards said building up a state-of-the-art fleet is a complex process - and that it takes longer to train crews in mid and west Wales because many only work on a retained or part-time basis.
"These appliances are not available off the shelf. It's not like ordering a Ford Focus. These are custom built appliances that take an awfully long time to build," he said."These appliances are not available off the shelf. It's not like ordering a Ford Focus. These are custom built appliances that take an awfully long time to build," he said.
"There's a large level of training required for the crews to reach full competence on these.""There's a large level of training required for the crews to reach full competence on these."
Pressure has also been put on the fire service after it placed an order for six rescue pumps with a company which has gone into liquidation.Pressure has also been put on the fire service after it placed an order for six rescue pumps with a company which has gone into liquidation.
It meant the vehicles had to be seized part-built. The service's own engineers are now adding the final fittings to the vehicles and Mr Edwards said he is confident they can do a better job at finishing the appliances.It meant the vehicles had to be seized part-built. The service's own engineers are now adding the final fittings to the vehicles and Mr Edwards said he is confident they can do a better job at finishing the appliances.
North Wales Fire Service has also had to seize five water-tenders it had ordered.North Wales Fire Service has also had to seize five water-tenders it had ordered.
It would not tell the BBC what had since happened to the tenders but said their procurement process has "no direct or adverse impact on the service's ability to deliver the day to day frontline service our communities rightly expect from us."It would not tell the BBC what had since happened to the tenders but said their procurement process has "no direct or adverse impact on the service's ability to deliver the day to day frontline service our communities rightly expect from us."