An MP yesterday welcomed Government initiatives to improve fire cover in the East End, but said a golden opportunity had been missed to up-grade the area's fire service.

Last Friday the Government announced it had reached agreement with the Corporation of St. George's to allow the St. George's Fire Brigade to provide the first response to fires outside the town's boundaries.

It was feared that parts of the area could be left without immediate cover, with fire engines having to come from Hamilton.

The St. George's Fire Brigade was limited to fires within the Corporation boundaries and fire services at Bermuda International Airport are unable to leave the airfield.

A mutual aid agreement existed between the Bermuda Fire Service and the US Navy for the Navy to cover the East End, but that finished on June 1, raising fears the area could be left without cover.

The issue was raised by St. George's North MPs, Ms. Jennifer Smith and Mr.

Leon (Jimmy) Williams, and yesterday Ms. Smith said she was pleased with the Government's response.

"The St. George's Fire Brigade will be able to answer calls outside the Corporation area on a first response basis. That is new and that is what we were waiting for,'' she said.

However, she said it was a missed opportunity to make the St George's Fire Service full-time. "I would like to see the Fire Service being one. We still have a volunteer Fire Service in St. George's and the men have full-time jobs.

"However, overall we are quite happy and it is a big improvement although we would still look for the St. George's Fire Service to be full-time,'' she added.

The Government is preparing a "comprehensive structural fire plan'' which would include a unit at what is now the US Naval Air Station, which is on land due to revert to Bermuda on September 1.

The St. George's Fire Service will have a strong back-up role in the plan and Serco will continue to provide cover at the airport and first response to to fires at the Shell and Esso Oil docks.

Bermuda Fire Service will continue to support the St. George's Service with training and maintaining standards.

Last night, Bermuda's Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Reg Rawlins, said it was not up to him to comment on the plan saying the future of the volunteer Fire Service was not up to him.

"They will play a very significant role in that comprehensive plan,'' said Mr. Rawlins.