SPECIALIST fire brigade vehicles used to rescue victims from serious car crashes across the two counties will be scrapped as part of a modernisation programme.

Members of the Hereford and Worcester Combined Fire Authority voted overwhelmingly in favour of disbanding the two emergency tender (ET) teams, based in Deansway, Worcester, and in Hereford.

Instead of using the four-wheel drive vehicles to carry specialised cutting equipment to road accidents, Chief Fire Officer David O'Dwyer said 15 front line appliances, strategically placed throughout the county, would instead be given new rescue equipment.

"I would not bring this before you if I did not believe it would provide a better quality and level of service for Hereford and Worcester," he said.

Mr O'Dwyer said in 2001/2002 there were 623 road traffic accidents which the fire brigade attended.

"Out of those incidents, the ET arrived and was used 70 times," he said.

Concerns raised by councillors over scrapping the ET teams included whether all their equipment could be adequately stored on board normal pump fire engines and whether crews would have enough training to handle specialised tools.

Coun Paul Mould was also concerned certain crews being given only certain equipment could create problems.

"Appliances may face a situation where they have to go back for more equipment," he said.

Richard Udall, deputy chairman for the authority, said the emergency tenders would not be removed until fire fighters were trained on the new equipment.

After the meeting, Worcester sub officer Steve Laugher said the scheme's idea was ill-thought.

"We support the equipment going on to appliances anyway, but that should not mean getting rid of the ET," he said.

"It will mean equipment will potentially have to come in from further afield which could have serious implications on a rescue operation."

The scheme is due to be introduced by July next year.