North-east MSPs pressed the need for better communication over proposals that could see the closure of fire control rooms in Aberdeen and Inverness.
Earlier this week there was uproar after it emerged there would be no formal consultation over which two of four fire control rooms in the frame will close.
SNP MSPs raised the issue when they met Chief Fire Officer Alasdair Hay and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chairman Pat Watters at the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
Afterwards Aberdeen Donside MSP Mark McDonald accepted the fire and rescue service was not going to carry out a “wide consultation”. He said he encouraged Mr Hay to contact community leaders.
“There has been an acceptance by the fire chief they need to communicate better in terms of the decision,” he said.
“I think they have definitely taken on board the points we have raised.”
Also at the meeting were Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart and Aberdeen South and North Kincardine MSP Maureen Watt.
Mr Stewart said: “Control rooms are just one aspect of behind the scenes service delivery, which includes administration teams and workshops.
“This morning we stressed that business cases must be drawn up for all proposals and in my opinion the premises and equipment at the Mounthooly control room are fairly new and that must be taken into consideration.”
A fire and rescue spokeswoman described the meeting as “quite positive” covering a range of north-east issues.
She said now that the way forward had been agreed by the board, the service would be talking to staff, partners and stakeholders about the plans.
The Fire Brigade Union’s (FBU) control room sub-committee agreed yesterday to seek talks with the service over the plans to reduce the number of control rooms from eight to three.
Steven Reid, the FBU control rooms’ representative, said: “We are looking for proper discussions on the proposals.
“In particular we want to talk about the policies which will be put in place for staff working in control rooms which might be closed.”