Union attacks plans to reduce fire crew on emergency calls

Alexandra Wood

PLANS to cut the number of firefighters who turn out to emergency calls have run into opposition.

Humberside Fire and Rescue wants to reduce the number of crew manning fire engines from five to four – a practice the brigade says already happens in other parts of the country.

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But the Fire Brigades Union says the fifth member of the team has a “safety critical role” and the move could cause delays, firefighters having to wait for back-up before committing themselves to enter a burning building.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) representatives say they will be holding an emergency brigade committee meeting next week to consult members.

They also expressed concern about other developments, including the trial of small fire units in Hull and Grimsby to tackle minor blazes and the introduction of new contracts for retained firefighters.

But Humberside Fire and Rescue says the plans have been on the table for many months, and it is “disappointed” with the union’s reaction. It confirmed that overall, as a result of a number of different measures, 170 jobs could be lost, but these would be phased in. Compulsory redundancies would be a last resort.

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Deputy chief fire officer Richard Hannigan said: “In the area today we have Preston, Howden, Cleethorpes, Brigg, Epworth, Winterton, Crowle and Kirton in Lindsey, who are riding fours and we have done that for many years because crewing retained appliances is difficult. The reality is we are riding fours now and we have no safety issues around that.”

Mr Hannigan insisted that the unions had presented “only a small part of the picture”.

He said: “My overall reaction is one of massive disappointment. We have engaged with the Fire Brigade Union since day one of these proposals. This particular piece of work is not new and it’s not in direct response to the coalition’s budget agenda.

“It started in July 2008 with the aim of providing a value for money service and the FBU has been engaged throughout.”

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Mr Hannigan said set standards on attendance times would not be affected by the changes. He also said positive measures were included in the plans, including changing the duty system at Immingham East and West and East Hull, and training up staff, who would be paid more as a result.

However, FBU spokesman Ian Murray said: “When the public dial 999 they expect a fire crew to turn up, with these proposals it’s less likely. It causes us great concern because the fifth person carries out a safety critical role looking after the safety of firefighters entering a burning building.”

Mr Murray said they were also concerned by “stringent” requirements committing retained firefighters to working certain times of the day, saying if there was a shortfall the brigade should recruit more staff. He said the use of a “pick-up” with a small pump to attend smaller fires had been trialled in other parts of the country, but had not been a success.

He said the proposals were ironic, as they were an additional cost at a time when the brigade was trying to save money.

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The public can comment on the draft management plan at two events at Bridlington Spa, at 6.30pm on Wednesday, October 13, and from 10.30am to 5pm on Wednesday, October 20, as part of the Wolds Expo.

Views can also be registered by visiting www.humbersidefire.gov.uk or by writing to Freepost NEA3610, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, Hull, HU4 7BR, between now and December.