Fire Brigade Union officials have warned that a proposed merger of the Devon and Somerset fire brigades could jeopardise emergency responses in Teignbridge. On Tuesday, the chief fire officers for both services announced their support for the merger and said it would save £3 million in the next five years and allow the service's role to expand. But Tam McFarlane, secretary of the Fire Brigades Union south west region, told this newspaper that the changes were causing 'great concern' and the statement had come before negotiations were complete. 'Our first reaction to the statement was shock and surprise,' he said. 'We are still supposed to be negotiating, a process which we still see as being fully open.' He said the public had the 'highest regard' for the Devon service because it was both 'accountable' and 'identifiable' owing to its independence. 'We are concerned that a new 'super brigade' would water down that public regard,' he said. Responding to the fire service's claims that a merger would not have a detrimental effect on emergency call outs, he said: 'When a fire engine arrives at an emergency scene that is the visible end of a chain that involves everyone including support staff. 'Remove them through 'efficiency savings' and it will have an effect on front-line services. That is something which causes us very great concern.' Paul Young, Devon's chief fire officer, said: 'It has become clear that both organisations need to increase their capacity to meet the government's expectation for fire and rescue services. 'We must deliver increasing efficiency savings while expanding the service's role in community safety and non-fire emergencies such as rescues. 'Neither service has the ability to meet those demands on their own without placing an additional burden on the council taxpayer.' If the merger is approved the new combined service would become fully operational next April.