The government's plans to close the 46 individual fire service control rooms and create nine regional 'super' control centres nationally – with the local site at Kite's Croft industrial estate near Titchfield – are stalled and years behind schedule.
Fire unions claim say is creating uncertainty, leading to less experienced staff in Hampshire Fire and Rescue's control room – although this claim is dismissed by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service managers.

Secretary of Hampshire Fire Brigades Union Conrad Jordan said the main risk came from the overall plan to merge the stations, but that the ongoing uncertainty was making things worse.

He said: 'It is a risk. It's about skill levels.

'The experienced staff would receive a call or message from the ground and know what to do immediately.

'Someone less experienced may have to defer to a supervisor or manager and ask for an opinion to make the decision.'

He said that the government delays to the programme – it was supposed to have been completed by 2007 but consultation is still taking place and the mergers could still be several years away – meant control room staff are now working on short term contracts.

Experienced staff have moved on amid the turmoil or are coming close to retirement, meaning a workforce with fewer years in the job, said Mr Jordan.

'The decision is still being made but there is a minor delay. It is a risk but it's not major.'

Principal fire control officer Peter Cowmeadow dismissed the claim.

'I wouldn't say there is any increased risk at all. We give the same training to the people we bring in as we give to all members of staff.

'We've had a turnover of staff which is in line with what we'd expect. We've lost five or six people in the last three years. I haven't seen a significant increase.'

East Hampshire MP Michael Mates said: 'I understand why fire service employees who work in the control centres are fed up with the uncertainty and disruption that has resulted from this botched programme.

'They are entitled to know when this will be completed and whether their jobs will be secure at the end.'