Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue's plan to save £1.3m

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is aiming to save £1.3m over the next three years.

The proposals are part of the service's new "integrated risk management plan".

Savings will be made by "targeting resources and cutting overheads" but job cuts will not be made. Instead, vacant posts will not be filled.

A Fire Brigades Union (FBU) spokesman said: "Investment does not mean having fewer firefighters working longer hours or crewing more appliances."

'Key areas'

Other proposals include investing in a new heavy rescue vehicle to renew outdated engines and updating fire rescue equipment.

Chief fire officer Jon Hall said: "As a fire service we are already extremely efficient but by targeting our resources and cutting overheads we can be even better.

"We've looked at all areas of our business and we know there are things we can improve on without hitting front line services and at the same time investing more in key areas."

There will also be greater reliance on working with volunteer agencies to deal with incidents.

Since 2008 the service has been building four new community stations and a life skills centre which are due to open by June 2012.

The full proposal is set to be published on 16 November. The FBU says it has not yet seen the full details.