that will see the St. George's Fire Brigade provide the first response to all structural fires outside the town's boundaries.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon, speaking for Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman, made the announcement in the House of Assembly last night.

Her statement came after St. George's North MPs Ms Jennifer Smith and Mr. Leon (Jimmy) Williams criticised Government for ignoring St. George's needs.

Ms Smith called for clarification of contradictory statements made by individuals in a story carried in The Royal Gazette on Tuesday.

The Royal Gazette story said the East End was at risk in a major fire because the St. George's Fire Brigade's operations were restricted to fires inside the Corporation boundaries while fire services at the Bermuda International Airport were unable to leave the airfield.

Until June 1, a mutual aid agreement between the Bermuda Fire Services and the US Navy had existed in which the US Navy provided fire services in the East End.

Ms Gordon said Government was preparing a "comprehensive structural fire plan'' for the East End which include a unit located on what is now the US Naval Air Station. The lands are due to revert to Bermuda on September 1.

The St. George's Fire Brigade would have a strong back-up role in this plan, and Serco would continue to provide crash fire rescue cover at the airport and a first response to fires at the Shell and Esso Oil docks.

Additionally, the St. George's Brigade will have support from the Bermuda Fire Service in areas of training and maintaining standards.

She said the US Navy's responsibility for fires on the Base will be passed on to the Bermuda Fire Service when the Navy leaves.