Government proposals to merge fire, police and ambulance control rooms have been described as 'ill-thought-out' by the union representing staff at the South West Ambulance Trust. .
Ministers are looking at ways the emergency services can work together more closely to save money.
The ambulance service's branch of UNISON says their call handlers do a highly specialised job - often giving life-saving medical advice over the phone - and should not be expected to take on extra responsibilities.