Two out of three fire chiefs will be pushed out under a Government plan to merge the Island?s fire services, it was claimed yesterday.

But Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton promised ?people will not be left out? and said a 2003 inspection of the Island?s fire services recommended the merger.

Government announced in the Throne Speech that it planned to join the Bermuda Fire Service, the Airport Fire Service run by Serco and the St. George?s Fire Brigade together ?so that they can better serve the Island?.

Mr. Horton said in 2003, a UK team carried out an inspection of Bermuda?s fire services and recommended a merger.

?Concerns were pointed out by the British team that there is more than one command in the fire service,? Mr. Horton said. ?The point was made to us it was important to have one fire service, therefore one command.?

He said said Government had Management Services working with all three fire divisions to put together an implementation plan to bring about the new amalgamated unit.

?People will not be left out,? he said.

But Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley said the Opposition had concerns about how this would be handled in St. George?s.

?The people of St. George?s have some concerns about what?s going to take place,? he said.

Mr. Dunkley said 26-year veteran and St. George?s Fire Brigade Chief Gareath Adderley was worried about his job security.

Chief Adderley has the only paid position in the Brigade, which is run mostly by volunteers and a small Government grant.

Mr. Dunkley worried whether the volunteers would now have to be paid salaries at taxpayers? expense.

The paid fire chief at the Airport would also be put under pressure, he said.

?I understand those in both paid positions will be pushed out,? he said. ?But there could easily be room for them in the system.

?We have no problem making the system as efficient as possible, but it is not acceptable to say if people can?t fit into the system you don?t need them.?

He said the uncertainly was causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty to the two chiefs.

When contacted last Monday, Chief Adderley deferred all comments to the Mayor of St. George?s, E. Michael Jones, who said until he talked to the Bermuda Fire Service?s Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid to see what his vision was, he was in no position to comment on whether it was good, bad or indifferent to anyone. Chief Hollinsid said on Monday he had not yet met with Mr. Horton about the proposed changes.