John Prescott will today unveil radical plans to overhaul the fire service.

In future fire fighters will be given responsibility to respond to terror incidents and other civil emergencies.

Contracts will also include specific responsibilities relating to fire safety and rescue from road accidents.

A new system of joint control rooms - which are bitterly opposed by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) - will also be created, Prescott will tell MPs.

Some 3000 jobs could go in what would amount to the most sweeping review of the fire service at both a local and national level.

A government source told the Times newspaper that the FBU can expect radical change.

"There will be a complete restructuring of the way the service is governed and managed. There will be changes at all levels of the organisation and in the deployment of resources," said the source.