Warning that "change is essential", John Prescott has set out a series of wide ranging reforms to the Fire Service.

Publishing the government's white paper on the future of the service in the wake of an acrimonious pay dispute, the deputy prime minister said it was time to "draw a line" under recent events.

The government intends to move to a risk management approach for allocating resources, scrapping the existing system based on the number and type of buildings in an area.

Criticising existing structures as "confused and inefficient", Prescott told MPs that there should be consolidation and better regional organisation.

A new system of joint control rooms - which are bitterly opposed by the Fire Brigades Union - will also be created

"We want to build on what is good in the Fire Service and tackle areas where there are shortcomings," he said.

Drawing on the report drawn up by Sir George Bain, the white paper said there should be a "more pro-active" approach to preventing fires.

And Prescott insisted that the proposals were "in line" with the negotiated settlement to the fire dispute.

The deputy prime minister also stressed the wider role of the service in tackling environmental disasters, responding to terrorist incidents and rescuing people from accidents.

In response to that new focus, the service is now to be renamed the "Fire and Rescue Service".

Fire authorities could also become accountable to new regional assemblies in future, while responsibility for fire issues are also to be devolved to the assembly in Wales.

Prescott said the reforms were "essential" and described the plans as "a sensible package of changes" to improve services and make work in the sector more rewarding.

"I believe the vast majority of fire fighters...will see the good sense in these proposals," he said.

Shadow deputy prime minister David Davies said it had taken a year long dispute to prompt the government into reforming the service.

"By any measure the cost of this white paper has been immense...it must deliver dramatic improvements in our fire service," he said.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Edward Davey said the white paper came at an "opportune moment".

"With the unions and employers both backing modernisation, this white paper could hail the building of a truly modern fire service based on fire prevention and community safety," he said.