Fire crew in ‘unsafe equipment’ dispute’

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in South Yorkshire are refusing to use the rescue platform on the vehicles, known as Combined Aerial Rescue Pumps, or CARPs.

The four appliances were introduced earlier this year after a series of mechanical and other defects were rectified, and have so far cost the taxpayer £2.7m.

They can be crewed by fewer firefighters and have resulted in a loss of 36 posts across the South Yorkshire brigade since their introduction.

Yesterday FBU officials said the CARPs had been “dogged by problems” not just in South Yorkshire but in other areas across the UK, and requested they were taken out of use.

Sarah Eratt, of the South Yorkshire branch, said: “There are three other vehicles we can use for high reach rescues. But fire crews have been warned if these are used the fire service will remove a standard fire engine from use.

“Fire crews have genuine health and safety concerns and fear that the problems experienced could put crews, and members of the public, in grave danger.”

A spokesman from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “We are totally committed to our CARP appliances, which provide an improved service to the public whilst saving over £1m per year.

“We have noted the FBU’s concerns and all reported problems with the vehicles have been fully investigated. Our health and safety section has passed them as fit for purpose.”