THIS keen jobseeker wants the chance to help people – and any employer willing to give her a chance could get a little help, too.

A business could get up to £2,275 a year for taking on 19-year-old Lucy Chilton, as part of the Government's Wage Incentive scheme – aimed at helping 18 to 24-year-olds get work.

Lucy, of Bargate, studied photography at Grimsby Institute for two years, but changed her plans for the future after a friend told her how rewarding working in care can be.

She has been looking for work since September and despite taking an introduction to care course and training in mental health awareness, she is finding it difficult.

She said: "It's a catch 22 – everyone wants people with experience which means I can't get any."

However, through the Jobcentre, she has managed to complete two unpaid work placements, one with the elderly and another with people suffering from learning disabilities.

And helping the people she met at the Rock Foundation and Yarborough House, she is all the more determined to get her dream job.

She said: "At first it was daunting because I had no experience, but you build bonds and the job gets much easier when you get to know people.

"Those placements made me realise this is the job I want – it is so rewarding to make a real difference to people's lives.

"Just sitting down and taking some time to talk to people means so much to them – and they are so grateful."

And being unemployed is not as fun as some people may believe.

She added: "Not having a job is demeaning – you feel worthless.

"I need a job so I feel independent and a regular wage would mean I could buy a car and get into home care – another opportunity."

Call the Jobcentre Plus on 01472 622357 if you are interested in employing Lucy – and getting a subsidy to do so.

ON THE WEB: Find out more about the Wage Incentive by visiting this article online at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk The Grimsby Telegraph features hundreds of vacancies every week and there are many opportunities available online at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/jobs

LOCAL charity Foresight has been granted retrospective planning permission to upgrade its supported housing facility in Stallingborough.

Anne Askew House, in South Marsh Road, has 26 self-contained apartments for vulnerable adults.

The building was taken on by Foresight after it closed as a communal living campus for the elderly two years ago.

The alterations, which were approved by North East Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee yesterday, include changing ten windows into doorways, providing the living units with fire escapes.

The application also includes the installation of 166 solar panels on the southerly roof slope, the installation of a container for the storage of biofuel, the construction of a gravel access track to the biofuel container and the building of a 1.4m high bund within the communal garden space.

Planning officers recommended that the application be approved, despite an objection from the parish council, which expressed concerns about siting such a facility in a village which has a "distinct lack of infrastructure" and the impact on neighbours.

However, planning officer Richard Limmer said the development would not unduly harm the residential amenities of the neighbouring properties, the appearance of the street scene or the wider character of the area.

The application was approved unanimously.

Councillor Ray Sutton (Lab, Freshney) said: "I welcome this application. I think it is a tremendous asset."

COMMUNITY figures in the West Marsh claim half the ward is being neglected by their councillors – who have been branded the "big bag of gas" and the "invisible man".

Members of Friends Of The Freshney are furious with ward councillors Ian Lindley and Darren Billard, claiming that they concentrate efforts around West Marsh Community Centre, ignoring the Boulevard Avenue area.

The row erupted after the group was refused ward funding and a £2,500 application for Community First funding – for which Mr Billard sits on the panel – for the Duke of York Gardens Community Fun Day on Saturday, May 25.

At a Friends Of The Freshney Meeting, Allan Jackson branded Councillor Lindley "the invisible man" because he does not attend their meetings and Councillor Billard "the big bag of gas", saying he claims he will try to help the group "but doesn't even bother".

Former councillor Keith Watkin said: "This is an event enjoyed by the whole community which is right in the centre of the ward, but they don't seem bothered about anything unless it happens at West Marsh Community Centre."

Friends of Freshney member Roy Loughton said: "We want to promote the great facility that we have in the Duke of York Gardens. A lot of people still see it as two separate areas.

"However, the point of the day is to get all the different community groups together.

"This fun day gives people the chance to have a good time but also means groups can promote themselves and get their names out there. You would think that is something the councillors would support but at the last minute, they have told us there is no funding available. Now we are going to have to scale our plans back."

However, councillors insist that there is no bias towards certain parts of the ward.

Councillor Lindley said: "We have tried to engage with what is a very small group, but have found them very difficult to work with.

"It is impossible to go to every ward meeting which is why we have centred meetings around West Marsh Forward, which we attend regularly.

"Their members are welcome to come and chair of Friends Of The Freshney, Peter Barker, attends regularly – and we have worked with him very successfully in the past."

Councillor Billard said he regrets funding was not available for the fun day but thinks the event will go ahead.

He said: "Cuts to the council's budget from Government have had a severe impact on many services.

"Community First funding has helped us plug that gap – although there are many good causes competing for that money and ward funding.

"The fun day is always very enjoyable but when we are weighing whether to offer £2,500 for something that lasts a few hours or less than £1,500 for a new oven for Meals on Wheels that will last for 10 years, it is the oven.

"But the group are very capable and the event made a profit last year so I'm sure they can pull it off again."

ON THE WEB: Should the event be funded by the council? Have your say by posting a comment on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

ARMED Forces Day organisers are hoping to unveil the new Cleethorpes Remembrance Gate when this year's event takes place next month.

Plans to put up a stainless steel arch to commemorate the sacrifices of local Armed Forces personnel were backed by North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee yesterday.

Although the committee could not formally approve the application as the consultation period does not finish until today, permission will be granted as long as no objections are submitted before the deadline.

No objections have been received so far.

Bill McCann, a member of the borough's Armed Forces events organising committee, said the plan was to make the new feature a focal point of Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 29.

As previously outlined, the arch will be put up on the two stone pillars on High Cliff Road opposite The Point, and will feature a 4ft by 2ft joint service crest, comprising the Army's crossed swords, the eagle of the Royal Air Force and a naval anchor, in the centre.

In addition, smaller steel plaques featuring the crests of the various different Armed Forces associations, will be fixed to the side of the two pillars.

The associations are currently fundraising to pay for these items. All the work will be carried out by Grimsby-based Blackrow Engineering.

The arch will be lit by two lamps, fixed to each pillar. Mr McCann said that no decision had yet been made about whether the lamps would be the ornate 1920s lights salvaged from Corporation Bridge, in Grimsby, as was initially proposed.

Mr McCann, who is chairman of the local Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) Club, said the plan was to hold a blessing service during Armed Forces Day if the arch is completed in time.

"The Remembrance Gate will be used as the focal point for Armed Forces Day and the parade will stop in front of it. It will be a fitting tribute for the resort and the borough.

"Lots of people stop and look at the Strike Wing memorial every day, and I'm sure the Remembrance Gate will prove just as popular."

Mr McCann also revealed that this year's event will feature the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, and displays by a Mustang P51 and Typhoon Eurofighter.

Events will be taking place throughout the day, with the car park at the end of Sea View Street being used as an entertainment area. Sea View Street itself will play host to a variety of military vehicles and re-enactors playing the role of British, American and French military personnel. There will also be various attractions on the Lower Kingsway.

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for a full preview of this Armed Forces Day.

ON THE WEB: See pictures from last year's Armed Forces Day at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

TWO children are "lucky to be alive" today after dicing with death by climbing up a pylon.

They were spotted scaling the structure in Waltham on bank holiday Monday, and police were called.

The 13-year-old girl, and a boy whose age is not known, eventually climbed down from the pylon on Fairway and were taken home by officers.

Northern PowerGrid bosses today said the pair were lucky to be alive – the pylon supports power lines carrying 132,000 volts.

They were contacted by police and immediately sent a rapid dispatch engineer to the scene.

It followed an incident last week in which a kite was found tangled up in conductors on a similar pylon in Grimsby.

The kite's string was found dangling below onto the Grimsby Golf Club course and tied to a tree.

No-one was injured and power was cut while work was carried out to remove the kite.

Paul Norton, Head of Safety at Northern Powergrid said: "With the sun shining, youngsters are of course desperate to be outdoors.

"But they must realise that using pylons as climbing structures, playing too close to the power network or tampering with it any way can be extremely dangerous.

"The two youngsters climbing the pylon are so lucky to be alive. They could easily have come into contact with live equipment carrying thousands of volts of electricity, or they could have fallen.

"Equally, for those flying the kite, they are extremely lucky that the kite string didn't conduct a lethal charge of electricity. We ask that parents and guardians do what they can to advise their youngsters of the potential dangers of coming into contact with electricity."

Northernn PowerGrid offers the following safety advice:

Avoid playing with kites near overhead power lines

Do not fish where your rod or line may come close to an overhead power line

Never enter electricity substations

Always turn the power off before working on any appliance – even when changing a light bulb

Never use electrical equipment that has a worn flex. Get the flex changed by a competent electrician before the equipment is used again

When using equipment outdoors, for instance DIY tools or lawnmowers, use a special safety switch known as an RCD, specifically designed for the purpose

Always call a competent electrician when work on your house wiring is needed

ON THE WEB: You can find more power safety advice at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

POLICE objections to a pub opening late have been withdrawn – after they conceded the Pink tribute and drag queen act may not "increase the violent crime in the area" after all.

Baileys bar applied to open until 5am this Saturday and Sunday – two hours later than usual – but police objected, writing that the events "undermine the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective".

The letter also stated that the events – a Pink tribute act and drag queen from Hull known as Lucy Garter – would "have a detrimental impact on the area and potentially increase violent crime".

However, the objection was withdrawn at the last minute and the events will now go ahead.

Jennifer Parker, manager of the West St Mary's Gate pub, said: "I'm glad that we are back on track, but I was a bit confused by the objection in the first place – our doormen work very closely with the police against the behaviour they are concerned about."

The North East Lincolnshire Council licensing sub-committee were due to meet on Monday to resolve the issue – but it was cancelled after a similar meeting on Friday.

The Lite House, in Cleethorpes, applied to open an extra hour until 5am on Sunday, May 6 and May 27, but a meeting was called after police objected – and went ahead even though a last-minute deal between police and management had already been reached.

Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib, East Marsh) called the meeting a waste of time and money, and Daniel Guiver, representing the force, apologised.

Mr Guiver said that the issue was caused by a blanket policy of objecting to applications to open after 4am – which has now been abandoned as police promised to consider individual cases on their own merit.

And while Miss Parker is glad that the Baileys events are back on, she thinks the debacle was "totally pointless".

She said: "The idea that there was a blanket policy doesn't make sense considering I have had at least ten licence extensions over the past 18 months – and no one objected to any of them.

"Everything is going ahead, but this has taken a lot of time and could have cost a lot of money if we had taken legal advice."

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "Each licence application is taken and reviewed on its own merit to ensure the safety of the public moving forward.

"Where possible, this is done in conjunction with the licensee so we can directly address concerns about the application and look to put measures in place to assist it or provide feedback on why it would not go through.

"Until recently, police in North East Lincolnshire trialed a policy which effectively rejected all applications to extend opening hours past 4am. However, this policy proved not to be effective and has subsequently been removed.

"Our work with licensees and local nightspots is always developing as we work to find the best way forward, so we will, on occasion, try something which doesn't work – at which point we will address the problem and look for a better way, as in this instance."

The Pink tribute is playing this Saturday night and Lucy Garter on Sunday evening.

WORK to create a 17-acre country park on the site of the former Macaulay Lane tip in Grimsby could begin in July.

North East Lincolnshire's Planning Committee yesterday approved the application by landowner Millennium Park to decontaminate the 23.7-hectare former landfill site and create within it a country park.

It also granted outline planning permission for the company to build 250 homes on the adjoining site to the east, formerly an allotments and school field.

Graham Corser, a director of Millennium Park, told the committee the housing development would benefit the West Marsh and the wider Grimsby area, providing good quality family housing in a sustainable yet economically-deprived area.

He confirmed the company had agreed to make the full education contribution of £704,753 to the council in recognition of the impact of the development in school places.

However, because of the cost of decontamination required to enable the development, and the relatively low market value of the proposed houses, the council has not insisted on a set quota of "affordable" housing being agreed upon at the outset.

Mr Corser acknowledged the frustration the committee may have felt in having to renew planning permission for the site yet again, but stressed his company's intention to commence work on the country park in July, with completion due next year.

He said the development would be a "game-changer" in terms of making the area more attractive to potential investors, adding that the short-term negative impact of the remediation work would be outweighed by the positive long-term environmental improvement.

Councillor Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham) said: "I very much welcome this development.

"This is the sort of development we should be encouraging in this area rather than the greenfield applications we have seen coming forward in recent months. This is a sustainable location."

Referring to the access road from Cromwell Road which has already been built, Councillor Ray Sutton (Lab, Freshney) said: "The road to nowhere is to become the road to somewhere and that is a really good thing.

"However, it is the travel aspect that concerns me. Is the road to nowhere really an adequate road for the strategic development of this part of town?"

RESCUERS didn't flap about when they spotted 12 ducklings trapped down a roadside drain.

Grace Stainforth, 14, of Grimsby, was on her paper round with her mum, dad and sister, when she noticed a duck and a duckling wandering around Abbey Road.

She immediately thought it was strange that they were so far away from People's Park and wanted to make sure they were both safe.

She said: "My dad picked up the duckling and handed it to me – hoping the mother duck would follow and we could take them to the park.

"However, she just wandered back to a drain on the roadside.

"My dad could hear some quiet cheeping elsewhere and when he looked down the drain he spotted the rest of the ducklings."

The family did not want to leave them there so instead rang the RSPCA for help.

Inspector Keith Ellis attended but was unable to remove the drain grille himself and called the fire service.

So firefighters from the Peaks Lane station joined in the rescue mission.

White watch manager Terry Taylor said: "We were able to use our tools to lift up the drain and gain access to the ducklings.

"We tried to do it as calmly as possible so as not to scare them as they could have easily escaped further along the drain pipe.

"If that had happened then we could have been pulling up all the drains down the road to find them.

"We helped fish the ducklings out one by one and put them into a basket provided by the RSPCA.

"It took us about 45 minutes to get all 12 ducklings out of the drain.

"The RSPCA called us for assistance and Grace's family did the right thing to get in touch with the animal experts first before trying to rescue the ducklings themselves.

"I have had first hand experience at how dangerous even drains can be as I chopped off the tip of my finger in one when younger."

Mr Ellis said: "Sadly every year we receive a number of calls regarding ducklings falling down drains.

"They are just so tiny that they simply fall through the grilles.

"I'm really grateful to the family for spotting what had happened and waiting until help arrived."

Grace is pleased all the ducklings were removed safely following Sunday's rescue drama.

She said: "I raced to People's Park afterwards to help Mr Ellis release them all."

ON THE WEB: Visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/pets4you for the latest news from local animal rescue centres.

A BRIGHT future rests on this Government minister's decision to approve the development of the Able Marine Energy Park at North Killingholme.

Today, industry, business and community leaders join the Grimsby Telegraph in a call for the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, to say YES! His decision is just days away.

The North Killingholme plan is set to create thousands of jobs in manufacturing, engineering and logistics, all connected to the offshore wind industry.

Austrian firm Strabag Offshore Wind is already in talks over a new turbine foundation plant at the site, creating 400 jobs.

And thousands more are promised both at the site and in the area as a massive economic boost is predicted.

Martin Vickers, MP for the area of North Killingholme, summed up its importance: "This decision has the potential to transform the economy of northern Lincolnshire with thousands of jobs, providing a massive boost."

The decision comes as thousands of new turbines are to be installed in the North Sea, 35 miles off the Humber, as part of the Government's Round Three plans for offshore wind.

GEORGE Kerr will be back at Blundell Park later his month for a very special night of Mariners memories.

Kerr, who managed Town from 1979 to 1982, will be reunited with some of his former players on Friday, May 17.

The event, which has been organised by the Mariners Trust, will raise money for the club's Youth department.

Under Kerr's stewardship, Town won the Third Division Championship in 1980.

The former boss will be joined by a host of ex-players including Kevin Drinkell, Tony Ford, Dave Moore, Terry Donovan, Nigel Batch, Kevin Kilmore, Bobby Mitchell and Clive Wiggington.

The evening will also feature a special tribute to Kevin Moore, who passed away this month, and played under Kerr with distinction.

A collection will be taken with a donation being made to a charity of his family's choosing.

The night will include a pie, chips and peas supper as well as a raffle.

Mariners Trust members get priority for tickets and also a discount over non-members.

Tickets are priced £20 for members and £25 for non-members.

There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available priced at £40, which grant access to a pre-event 'meet and greet' in the boardroom with Kerr and the players.

Tickets can be purchased from the club shop or by post to 9 Rymer Place, Cleethorpes, DN35 0EW (cheques made payable to Grimsby Town Supporters).

They can also be purchased from the Trust's website at www.marinerstrust.co.uk.

GRIMSBY Town joint boss Paul Hurst has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson after Manchester United's manager announced his retirement.

The Scot, who won 38 trophies during his time at Old Trafford, will step down at the end of the current campaign.

And Hurst says Ferguson is an inspiration to all young managers.

He said: "Everyone thought he was going to carry on forever.

"He wanted to leave them in the best possible position and after regaining the title this season, that's certainly what he's done.

"There's a lot of good young players there and he's also managed to keep getting the best out of Giggs and Scholes so that's credit to him.

"Realistically, we haven't seen a boss as successful as him and we'll probably never see the likes again.

"In terms of British football, he's the main man and the one that all other bosses and coaches aspire to be like.

"I don't know him personally and I haven't been fortunate enough to see him work but the biggest thing I can take from him is his standards."

"He demands that everyone is dedicated to his job and doesn't go in for anyone who doesn't put their all in – he doesn't stand for that.

"It's certainly something that we've tried to adopt ourselves because we want people to be the best they can be.

"For us it's only just starting but it would be fantastic if we can get anywhere near to as long as career as him – I'm sure that's what all managers are aiming to do."

AFTER losing 13 members of their squad last week, where on earth do Grimsby Town's bosses start their rebuilding project for next season?

At my reckoning, the release of eight out of contract players and return of the five loanees leaves Paul Hurst and Rob Scott with only 12 men.

And those remaining include just one keeper, one centre-half and two central midfielders.

It was great to hear that skipper Craig Disley and sole centre-back Shaun Pearson have signed new deals, but the gaps in the Mariners' current line-up are frightening.

Depending on who on you believe, the bosses have been hit with either a "slight" or "substantial" drop in their playing budget for next season.

Without last year's £700,000+ windfall thanks to Ryan Bennett's move to Norwich City – and well done to John Fenty for negotiating probably the best deal in football history – Town are understandably having to cut their cloth accordingly.

As a result, those of us expecting a relatively quiet summer at Blundell Park, with three or four quality additions in key areas, were in for a shock.

True, the likes of Greg Fleming, Louie Soares, Simon Ford, Frankie Artus and Greg Pearson were fringe players at best this season.

But the departure of the experienced Ian Miller, former Youth-teamer Bradley Wood and battling Derek Niven, raised a few eyebrows.

It therefore appears likely that the Mariners will head into the new campaign with a much-reduced squad – in terms of numbers at least.

At times this campaign, Scott and Hurst had a row of senior pros sitting in the Main Stand at BP unable to make the match-day 16.

That is unlikely to happen next time around, with a squad of around 18 appearing to be the answer.

Whether the bosses choose to roll the dice and go with just one keeper for the season remains to be seen.

But reinforcements in all other areas of the pitch – apart from attack – are essential.

Maybe the versatile Tom Naylor could be an option after his successful loan spell in Cleethorpes, providing options at centre-half, centre-midfield and full-back.

Elsewhere, former loanee Scott Neilson issued a 'come and get me plea' in the Telegraph last week, but the wideman could yet be ruled out due to his wage demands.

The likes of central midfielder Scott Kerr and winger Matty Blair – both released by York – have also been linked with Town, and would fit the bill in terms of position and reputation.

There will be many more names bandied around over the next two months and plenty of wheeling and dealing to come.

So, buckle up – it's going to be another 'interesting' summer at Grimsby Town.

HOW to best honour a hero?

Following the passing of Grimsby Town legend Kevin Moore last month, the Mariners have moved quickly to try and establish some form of permanent memorial to him.

And rightly so.

Moore was a local lad who played over 400 games for his home-town team with distinction.

He went on to play on to play in the Premier League with Southampton and could have graced the European stage had a rumoured move to the great Liverpool side of the 1980s materialised.

I was never fortunate enough to see Moore play and therefore it would be wrong of me to try to add to the collection of tributes from those who were lucky enough to do so.

However, I can appreciate the value of his contribution to a club that has always treasured their heroes.

And so that is why a fitting memorial is so important.

The club have asked for its supporters to suggest the best way to remember a man who was perhaps the finest of the Moore dynasty to run out at Blundell Park.

At the Telegraph, we have received wide and varied contributions from Mariners fans as far away as Australia.

Some have suggested renaming the A180 approach road into town, while others have recommended that the club launch an annual fundraising friendly in Moore's honour.

The populist opinion appears to be behind the notion of renaming one of Blundell Park's stands.

And Moore's name, looking down on the turf he once graced would certainly be a appropriately significant epitaph to his memory.

Grimsby Town are unlikely to see the likes of Kevin Moore again – only a select few have played more games for the club and therefore a sizable tribute, such as renaming a stand, would be fitting.

But other suggestions – such as a memorial medal to be presented at the Player of the Year awards, or an annual pre-season game with Moore's former club Southamption – raising money for charity – also have their merits.

The club have said that all the suggestions it receives will be considered before a final decision is made in the coming weeks, so please come forward and have your say on the best way to honour one of your club's greatest ever players.

Share your views

How do you think the club should honour Kevin Moore's memory? Email your thoughts to sport@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, comment on this story at thisisgrimsby.co.uk/sport or write to the Grimsby Telegraph, 80 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, DN31 3EH.

INSPIRATIONAL teenager Blake Munton says chalking up in Grimsby alongside hero Jimmy White will be an 'amazing experience'.

The 17-year-old, who has endured a series of health problems, will be one of eight players to challenge 'the Whirlwind' when he comes to town on Friday, May 17.

In a celebratory event at the Auditorium, which marks the 100th year of the Grimsby & District Snooker and Billiards League, Blake will be gunning for the potter.

And while the Holton-le-Clay youngster has encountered White on the baize before, he believes victory is not beyond his reach.

Blake, whose highest break is 75, said: "I can't wait – it was amazing to find out the news and I've been practicing every day since.

"Jimmy is my favourite player. I have played against him before and think I can beat him, but either way it will be a fantastic day.

"I will be practicing from Monday to Friday. I am more of a safety player, and I will have to be against Jimmy – he is such a good potter."

Blake, who has lived with a brain tumour for the past eight years, is now enjoying better health having left hospital in August following a five-and-a-half month stay.

During that time, the youngster contracted meningitis and baffled doctors with an inflection never before recorded in medical history.

Indeed, doctors at Sheffield Children's Hospital discovered that Blake had aspergillis of the brain – something he is now taking ongoing medication for.

But for one night at least, the talented snooker star will be able to put his conditions aside as he prepares to face his idol on home turf.

His father Brian said: "If Blake can knock in a couple of 20 breaks against Jimmy that would be great – I'm certain they will both get a huge cheer on the night."

"We don't know how long the illness will take to go, or if it ever will – nobody else in the world the same illness.

"Blake was nominated by a quite a few people in the league. He is feeling great and people keep asking him about it.

"Snooker is really good for Blake – it keeps him thinking and motivated. He knows quite a lot of the stars on a personal level.

"I'm not sure if he can beat Jimmy, but they will have a good laugh. Blake will be nervous, but it will be great for him to come on stage with the Grimsby crowd."

Aside from practicing at home, Blake is a regular at Ray Edmonds' Snooker Centre – playing in the singles, doubles and billiards leagues.

Alan Edmonds – who runs the Freeman Street club – added: "Blake is an inspiration. He has always got a smile on his face and absolutely loves snooker.

"When we all moan about things, we should think about Blake and the way he is. He plays every day and is over the moon."

Tickets for the Jimmy White exhibition are now on sale. To book your place at the special event, contact Grimsby Auditorium on (0844) 871 3016. Prices start at £12.

A HEADTEACHER has criticised ambulance crews for taking more than an hour to respond to a poorly pupil.
When a student at DeAston School pupil badly broke a bone, his parents arrived at the scene before paramedics.
The Market Rasen headteacher said it took over an hour for the emergency services to get to them after a 999 call on Tuesday.
In a statement, East Midlands Ambulance Service apologised for the delay and said a lack of available vehicles in the area affected response times.