PROPOSALS that could see the chief fire officer running Thames Valley Police have been criticised by the police and crime commissioner (PCC).

The Home Office has begun a consultation over a more joined up approach between the three emergency services.

The plans mean the PCC would oversee both the police and fire service and the chief constable – also in charge of both – could come from either service.

Thames Valley Police PCC Anthony Stansfeld said: “I am all for more cooperation between the emergency services, but we are quite some way from that.

“Unless it is mandated by government, and unless the fire service are keen to do it, it won’t happen.”

He added: “I have no intense desire to be chief of the fire service.”

The new proposals could in theory mean fire chiefs run the police force or police officers run the fire service.

The Home Office’s plans would put a single chief officer in charge of both services.

This officer would act as a chief constable but the position would be open to senior police officers and fire officers.

Mr Stansfeld said: “I find it impractical. The role of a chief constable requires vast experience of the police force from the bottom to the top.

“You don’t want a fire officer in charge of a complex murder or anti-terrorism, and at the same time you don’t want a police officer dealing with a major fire.”

He added: “People have got to be experts at the jobs they are doing.”

Since Christmas last year, the county’s fire and rescue service has been assisting South Central Ambulance Service with medical emergencies, and is reimbursed for its work.

Earlier this year all three services signed a memorandum to share buildings and offices.

Mr Stansfeld said there were other ways to save money than the Government’s proposals, such as sharing control rooms.

Earlier this year proposals were put forward to create two services sharing buildings – one of which is planned in Carterton.

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for fire and rescue, Rodney Rose, said: “We will study the Home Office document in due course. Daily cooperation between fire and rescue and other council services has, for many years, been delivering the kind of efficiencies the Government clearly desires.”

Thames Valley Police referred the Oxford Mail to the College of Policing which said: “The concept of increasing flexibility between officer and staff duties was one of 10 recommendations the college made in its leadership review.

“This consultation is potentially a significant step towards building the profession and may allow forces to be more adaptable to current demands.”

The consultation runs until October 23 and is open to the public.

Responses can be submitted via the website gov.uk.