Carmarthenshire County Council has welcomed assurances from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue over the use of the Welsh language following the announcement of proposals to move the service control centre out of the county.

The council’s executive board had expressed concern over the impact of the move – likely to see the service relocate to Bridgend – on the language and also over potential job losses in the county.

“The Welsh language is essential to us,” Assistant Chief Fire Officer Derek Masson told councillors when he and Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies attended this week’s Executive Board meeting at County Hall.

“It is important that anyone who wants to speak in the medium of Welsh is able to do so, especially as they might be speaking to us in stressful circumstances when they will need to speak in their first language.”

He also assured the council that the majority of staff would relocate in order to retain knowledge and skill.

He said the proposed move was designed to forge closer links and better share resources with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and other blue light services.

Speaking after the presentation, Council Leader Kevin Madge said: “Jobs are hard to come by in this part of the world and we were all worried about jobs but we can see what you are trying to do.

“In difficult times we are all trying to find solutions.

“We’re pleased to have had assurances about jobs and the Welsh language.”