I am appalled by the continual assertions in the Bain Report that we are an antiquated fire service - we are anything but.

We are a modern fire service that updates continually and consistently to meet community needs.

The real problem lies in the antiquated legislation and the equally antiquated and perverse funding arrangements.

We pro-actively offer community fire safety advice despite a lack of legislation and in spite of funding arrangements that work as a disincentive. We are effectively paid for every property fire we attend.

Why should we work to reduce them? Because we put lives ahead of funding. We modernise without government intervention, despite legislation requiring us to do so or real funding to provide it. What is our reward? Savage attacks from the Government.

Merry Christmas and heartfelt thanks to all members of the public whose support we have received in recent weeks.

I can only hope the public realises in 2003 what it is about to lose under the guise of "modernisation".

-Mark Hodiak, Hove Fire Station, English Close, Hove