I SUPPORT the views expressed by Councillor Collinson (Aug 10th) and Hazel Berry (Aug 24th), regarding the activities at Washington Hall Fire Brigade training Centre including the necessity to include training sessions to develop high levels of skill and efficient techniques.

However, the Environmental Act 1995 requires that the local authority periodically reviews and assesses air quality in the area.

How longer do we have to wait for the publication of a report on their survey?

Why was it necessary for the fire service to warn local residents about the need to close all windows and doors as a result of dangerous fumes resulting from recent fires at Whitewrigg Nursery, Eccleston and Avalon Packaging, Walton Summit?

Yet nothing is being done about the intolerable levels of pollution and similar toxic hydrocarbon fumes exhausted into the air for the regular outputs at Washington Hall.

I only need to observe the palls of black smoke and to smell the fumes to conclude that such emissions are health hazards as far as local residents and school children are concerned.

I do not think that the majority of people are interested in raising the prestige of Lancashire Fire Service as suggested by spokesperson John Taylor. They are concerned about and paying for an efficient service. Having observed training exercises in action I cannot understand the relevance of the black smoke since it was 30 metres in the air by the time the trainees tackled the source of the fire.

It would be more helpful and appropriate if the exercises were conducted inside a building and the smoke was allowed to diffuse afterwards.

Who are these bosses, referred to in your article, who are reluctant to install the required, smoke filtration or cleaning plants?

D Jolly,

Chorley