Cornwall’s Fire and Rescue Critical Control Centre will continue to handle all emergency calls from local residents after a decision taken by the council’s Cabinet committee this morning.

Firefighter control staff handle calls from the public, provide safety guidance and deploy resources during incidents.

A review of call handling had considered outsourcing some of the service to call centres outside Cornwall, but this idea was rejected, and extra funding will instead be provided to improve the technology used by the service.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “I am delighted we are retaining the call handling for the fire service within Cornwall. Although it may have been cheaper to outsource the service, it is not always right to just take the money-saving option.

“This review has been intensive, with discussions with our fire crews who would be directly affected by any changes, and the involvement of the Neighbourhoods Overview and Scrutiny Committee, whose hard work helped us reach this decision.”

The news has been welcomed by the Fire Brigades Union, which has helped oversee a sustained campaign led by firefighters for it to remain in Cornwall.

Union members had responded to the proposed cuts by creating a detailed report highlighting the varied and essential nature of the work that they do.

They also hosted visits from Cornwall Councillors, demonstrating how their professional skills, adaptability and local knowledge helped ensure successful resolutions to serious incidents.

A number attended rallies in large numbers outside multiple council meetings, as well as providing witness evidence of the importance of fire control to all aspects of fire and rescue.

Gary Cotton, Fire Brigades Union brigade secretary for Cornwall said today (Wednesday): “Fire and rescue control staff are vital to our service. They are the ones picking up fire calls from the public, identifying locations and mobilising resources.

“Firefighters across Cornwall will be relieved that the council has finally recognised the value of the highly specialised skills and knowledge required, and the essential role that fire control plays in keeping the public safe.

“This U-turn represents a victory for our members, and for the safety of the people of Cornwall. We should never have had to fight against these absurd plans, but we have shown that we can and must push back against dangerous decisions made in the name of cost cutting."

At a busy meeting at County Hall, the cabinet also agreed to continue to allow bus pass holders to use their cards during peak hours, and approved business plans from Corserv, Treveth and Celtic Sea Power.

More 20mph zones are also set to be rolled out across Cornwall after the Cabinet committee heard about the success of the first phase of the scheme.