FIREFIGHTERS and Labour will jointly draw up plans to “transform” the fire-and-rescue service if Labour comes to power on Thursday.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) leaders and firefighters met shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper today in West Yorkshire’s Dewsbury and Batley Parliamentary constituency.

The transformation plans will include the establishment of national standards of fire cover that will end a “de facto postcode lottery” following 14 years of Tory cuts.

Since 2010, the fire-and-rescue service has lost one in five firefighter jobs and 30 per cent of its central government funding.

The average response time for the first fire appliance to arrive has risen to nine minutes and 12 seconds in England — the worst on record.

Ms Cooper said: “The Tories have badly let down our public services over many years.

“They have turned their backs on the fire-and-rescue service, the growing challenges it faces as a result of climate change and the growing impact that its work has on people’s lives.

“We cannot afford five more years of this.”

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said: “After 14 years of Tory rule, the fire-and-rescue service is in crisis. Cuts and fragmentation have put the safety of the public and firefighters at risk.”

A new national body, including the FBU, will be established to draw up the transformation plan.

“If implemented, this has the potential to transform the fire service by giving professional front-line firefighters a voice in how the service is run,” said Mr Wrack.