ESSEX Fire Authority could be dismantled within a year.

A schedule has been put in place which is expected to conclude with police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst taking on responsibility for monitoring the performance of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

It is also possible one chief could run operations at both services.

Earlier this year the Government proposed a new set-up to save money.

The aim was to combine monitoring as well as hiring and back office functions.

Frontline duties would remain separate.

A report, from the office of the PCC and presented to the police and crime panel on Monday stated: "There was no intention of giving fire-fighters the power of arrest or other core powers of the constable.

"The law preventing a full time police officer from being a firefighter would remain in place."

The Government's new Policing and Crime Bill, expected to get Royal Assent, early next year includes the possibility of the PCC effectively becoming the fire authority.

Mr Hirst is believed to favour this model and an independent report, highly critical of the county's fire authority, may help him make his case.

Mr Hirst said: "To explore options for closer collaboration, we have created a strategic board.

"Over the next few months, a small team working to the strategic board will develop a business case, including options for governance of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police in collaborative work, as required by the draft legislation.

"The prize is a big one: we want to provide the most effective police and fire and rescue services possible to keep the people of Essex safe."

A single chief officer has not been ruled out although a joint command would be controversial raising questions about whether senior officers in one emergency response have enough expertise to run operations in areas they have little experience.

Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh currently runs Essex Police.

The fire service is still without a permanent head due to a long running legal battle, costing taxpayers an estimated one million pounds, between the fire authority and the suspended fire chief David Johnson.

A public consultation will be held before any final decision is made.

A briefing was presented to the police and crime panel yesterday.

Mr Hirst has already called in a consultancy firm to put together a business case, with an outline on his proposal due by the end of September.