Avon firefighters challenge proposed service cuts

by Featured News

Avon Fire Authority has approved proposals to reduce the number of full-time firefighter positions by 40 and to decrease fire engine crews from five members to four throughout the service.

Service cuts spark union condemnation

Representatives from the Fire Brigades Union have criticised the cuts. They described the decisions as “dangerous and irresponsible” in a statement to the Fire Authority.

Many firefighters attended to voice their objections to these plans.

These recent changes stem from a project commissioned by Avon Fire and Rescue Service, aimed at trimming the budget.

Matt Wrack, the Fire Brigades Union general secretary, remarked: “If implemented these cuts will put lives at risk, and the Fire Brigades Union will fiercely resist them. Slashing the number of firefighters in Avon will push an already strained service to its limits.

“It is unreasonable for Simon Shilton to suggest these cuts arise from last year’s pay award. No other fire authority is making similar cuts using this rationale.

“Mr Shilton and the Avon Fire Authority should acknowledge this situation and reconsider. Earlier this year, our members successfully reversed substantial cuts in Nottingham. It’s possible.

“Firefighters show dedication and determination to safeguard their communities daily. We will contest these austerity measures at every juncture.”

Dave Roberts, FBU South West regional secretary, added: “Avon Fire Authority prioritises cost-cutting over the safety of the public and firefighters.

“Our firefighters are already facing significant challenges in their mission to save lives and property. Instead of much-needed investment, we are confronted with more extensive cuts.

“Firefighters in the region are deeply upset by this regrettable decision. The people of Avon deserve a fire service capable of ensuring their safety. We will employ every means at our disposal to counter these perilous cuts.”

Related issues in Cambridgeshire

In a related story, Cambridgeshire firefighters expressed their apprehensions over the reduction in fire crew sizes.

They recently staged a demonstration outside the Cambridgeshire Fire Authority’s meeting.

Their concerns arose from the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (CFRS) recent practice. Starting in 2023, CFRS began assigning on-call firefighters in teams of only three.

IFSJ Comment

The recent decision by the Avon Fire Authority to cut firefighter positions and reduce crew sizes is indicative of a larger trend facing fire and rescue services.

The balance between fiscal responsibility and ensuring public safety is delicate.

The vehement reactions from the Fire Brigades Union emphasise the gravity of these decisions.

Instances like these underscore the critical need for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes, and a comprehensive understanding of the implications of service cuts on public safety and the well-being of firefighters.

Cambridgeshire firefighters voice concerns over reduced fire crews

by Featured News

Fire crews size reduction sparks protest

Cambridgeshire firefighters assembled outside the Cambridgeshire Fire Authority’s meeting on October 4th.

Their protest was in response to what they see as a concerning reduction in the size of fire crews.

Since the start of 2023, the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has been deploying on-call firefighters in crews of just three.

However, for situations where lives are in potential danger, a team of at least five firefighters is typically advised.

Fire Brigades Union opposes smaller fire crews

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has been vocal in their criticism of these smaller teams.

An impressive 88% of their on-call members in the region have put their signatures on a letter denouncing this new approach.

A three-member crew consists of one driver, one officer in charge, and one additional firefighter.

Training typically prepares firefighters to operate in teams of four or five, with roles designated within these more extensive units.

While CFRS claims that smaller teams can reach incidents more promptly, no concrete data confirms that such teams reduce overall response times.

This is because a three-person crew, upon reaching a significant incident, must await backup before taking substantial action.

Mark Harriss, FBU Cambridgeshire brigade secretary, noted: “Every second counts in an emergency, and fires can escalate quickly: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is putting lives at risk by dispatching teams that cannot execute rescues securely.

“When a house is ablaze, one expects an adequately equipped fire engine. It’s disheartening for only three firefighters to appear and then have to wait for reinforcements.

“The root of these cutbacks is a recruitment and retention crisis. Increasing the danger and stress of the job will further exacerbate the situation.

“It’s crucial for fire service employers to abandon this perilous approach and staff our service correctly.”

Adding to this sentiment, Callum Hodgkin, FBU Cambridgeshire brigade organiser, stated: “Firefighters commit to defending properties and preserving lives, not to be mere spectators as structures are consumed by flames.

“Fires are unpredictable; one can’t gauge the severity until on-site. A trio is ill-equipped to handle grave incidents, such as residential fires, compelling them to await another team’s arrival.

“These firefighters confront a harrowing dilemma: to stay outside or jeopardise their careers and lives by venturing in. We take immense pride in serving our communities and are compelled by an ethical responsibility to save lives.

“Persisting with this policy will inevitably culminate in a catastrophe. No firefighter should ever find themselves in such a predicament.”

IFSJ Comment

The recent changes in fire crew size in Cambridgeshire brings to light the broader challenges faced by many fire services globally.

Ensuring efficient response times must be balanced against the safety and efficacy of the crews dispatched.

While faster arrival at the scene is a commendable goal, it should not come at the expense of the firefighters’ ability to effectively and safely manage the situation.

The widespread concern expressed by members of the Fire Brigades Union underscores the potential implications of such changes, not just for the safety of the public, but for the firefighters themselves.

As stakeholders in the wider fire and safety community, it’s crucial for us to monitor these developments and assess their impacts on best practices in emergency response.

UK firefighters reveal a significant disparity in maternity pay

by Featured News

Discrepancies in maternity pay among UK firefighters

A recent report published by the Fire Brigades Union has highlighted the discrepancies in maternity pay provisions within the fire service.

The findings indicate that women firefighters face vast inequalities in their maternity pay, with disparities reaching up to £15,000 depending on their location.

For instance, a firefighter based in Cornwall receives £15,000 less in maternity pay compared to their counterpart in Staffordshire.

These disparities were brought to light through FOI requests, as well as other information gathered from fire and rescue services across England.

National standards versus local variations in maternity pay

The national standards for maternity pay in the fire service currently stand at 90% pay for the first six weeks.

This is followed by 50% pay for the next 12 weeks, and then statutory maternity pay.

These minimum standards have created a ‘postcode lottery’ in maternity pay.

However, some services have been able to provide better maternity provisions, primarily due to campaigns by the FBU.

The impact of current maternity provisions and the call for equality

The report also provides several insights from case studies. One firefighter stated: “When I was pregnant, I had one contract terminated when I told [the service], and my temporary promotion ended all because I was pregnant. This was made clear in an email sent to me.”

Another shared: “Honestly, working for a professional government body, I wouldn’t have believed I would ever end up in this situation. Both my maternity leaves have been tainted with stress and anxiety due to our absolutely appalling maternity pay.”

Ben Selby, Fire Brigades Union assistant general secretary, expressed his concerns by stating: “It cannot be right that a new mother in Cornwall gets £15,000 less than a new mother in Staffordshire. This system is unfair and systematically undervalues women firefighters.

“Every year, women are forced to return to work too early – to a job that is physically and psychologically stressful – because their maternity leave is so bad. Others have experienced serious economic hardship.”

The report cites research highlighting the dangers of exposure to contaminants during firefighting on the health of pregnant firefighters and their offspring.

In response to these findings, the report suggests that all UK firefighters should receive twelve months of maternity leave on full pay.

This recommendation is supported by the union, which believes that improving maternity and caring provisions will boost the recruitment and retention of women in the fire and rescue service.

IFSJ Comment

The disparity in maternity pay among UK firefighters sheds light on broader issues within the fire and rescue service.

The recruitment and retention of women in this vital sector are directly affected by such inequalities.

Addressing these disparities is not just about ensuring financial fairness; it’s about safeguarding the health of pregnant firefighters and their children.

In a profession that demands physical and psychological resilience, it is imperative to offer robust support structures, especially for those starting families.

With discussions around maternity provisions now in the spotlight, it’s an opportunity for the industry to review and enhance its policies, ensuring that all firefighters, regardless of their gender or location, receive equitable treatment.

Matt Wrack takes on role as new TUC President

by Featured NewsPeople

Matt Wrack, the current general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, has been elected the new President of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

He is set to serve in this role for one year, taking the helm for the TUC Congress in September 2024.

Wrack will also lead the TUC’s general council and executive committee.

Matt Wrack’s perspective on current union challenges

Following his election, Wrack said: “On behalf of firefighters, I am proud to be taking up the role of TUC President at what will be a decisive moment for the trade union movement, in the wake of an inspiring wave of industrial action across the economy.”

Addressing the economic hardships facing workers, he highlighted that the “cost of living crisis is a war by the ultra-rich on workers.”

Noting the discrepancy between soaring profits and declining wages, he added: “While profits and inflation have soared, workers are being hit with falling wages, crumbling public services and yet more austerity.”

Commenting on the government’s stance on the matter he said: “Rather than address the crisis, this government for the billionaires is relying on a toxic cocktail of authoritarianism, bigotry and attacks on our right to strike.”

As TUC President, Wrack said he aims to “support the development of a movement that can defeat this authoritarian war on workers and win the repeal of all the anti-union laws.”

TUC’s response to new anti-union laws

Wrack’s ascendancy to the presidential role followed a recent vote at the TUC congress.

They chose a strategy of non-compliance and non-cooperation in response to the government’s introduction of new anti-union laws.

A clear message from Wrack was his statement that “austerity wearing a different colour rosette is still austerity,” cautioning politicians: “if they fail workers, they will face a determined, mobilised trade union movement.”

This sentiment mirrors his recent call for a “determined, mobilised trade union movement” highlighted on the FBU’s official website.

Industrial action ballot for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service

by Featured News

Merseyside Fire Brigade Union members poised to take a stand

In a recent development, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has confirmed that the ballot for industrial action for its Merseyside members is now underway.

The ballot comes in the wake of a six-month-long dispute, where the union has opposed changes to terms and conditions of service.

In particular, the union is resisting reductions in night-time staffing in the Fire Control department of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

The union stated: “FBU members will not stand by as our nationally agreed terms and conditions of service are attacked and eroded.”

It accuses Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service employers of trying to bypass discussions about these changes to the conditions of service.

Industrial action in Merseyside: voting patterns expected to impact overland response

Merseyside Fire Control members have been urged to vote for strike action.

This is in response to the imposed reduction in night-time staffing numbers and a shift system that, according to the FBU, was never open to negotiation.

Frontline firefighters and Green Book employees in Merseyside are also being encouraged to vote for a continued overtime ban, in response to what the union describes as “continued attacks on members’ terms and conditions of service.”

Ballot papers need to be returned by post before 21st August 2023.

The message from the FBU is clear: “We will not be silenced. Vote YES for industrial action in Merseyside.”

Merseyside’s potential changes sparking union backlash

The Fire Brigades Union is opposing a number of proposed changes by the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

These include a reduction in night-time staffing numbers in the Fire Control Room from the agreed level of six to five.

The introduction of new duty shift systems is also being contested, particularly because it may require new firefighters to work both wholetime and retained, and may breach nationally agreed terms in relation to overtime rates of pay.

The union is also concerned about apprentices being required to work outside of core hours for training and other activities, as well as the expansion of the firefighter role without agreement.

All FBU Merseyside members, including frontline firefighters, fire control staff, and Green Book members, are eligible to vote.

IFSJ Comment

The potential industrial action in Merseyside underscores the ongoing tensions between firefighting services and their personnel across the UK.

It further highlights the importance of maintaining dialogue and negotiation in managing change within such critical services, given the potential impacts on overland response times.

Impact of fire service cuts revealed in Brighton’s Albion hotel fire response

by Featured News

Second blaze at Albion hotel exposes fire service vulnerabilities

In the wake of two devastating fires at Brighton’s historic Albion hotel, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has voiced serious concerns about the apparent lack of resources in the UK’s fire services.

A second fire broke out just a week after the initial blaze, highlighting potential gaps in the fire service coverage of East Sussex and surrounding areas.

FBU’s comparison to 1998 fire underscores scale of fire service cuts

During the initial incident, which started around 17:30 on Saturday, July 15, firefighters from London, Surrey, Kent, West and East Sussex were brought in to fight the flames.

In total, 15 fire engines were dispatched to the scene. However, when compared to a similar incident at the same hotel in 1998, which saw 24 fire engines respond, the disparity is glaringly obvious.

Firefighters’ working conditions reveal fire service’s dire state

The Fire Brigades Union is adamant that the decrease in resources is a direct result of fire service cuts that have occurred over the past decade.

It was reported that firefighters on the scene faced unsafe conditions, including 13-hour shifts, insufficient welfare facilities, and a lack of decontamination provisions.

The Fire Brigades Union general secretary, Matt Wrack, stated: “We are witnessing the disastrous impact of over a decade of cuts to our fire service.

“Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs have been lost across the UK.”

He went on to express his concern about the current situation: “These cuts have left the fire service unprepared and are putting lives and homes at risk.

!Ministers and chief fire officers talk about resilience, but you cannot have adequate resilience without having enough firefighters on the frontline – and that means proper funding and investment.”

Representing the South East on the Fire Brigades Union Executive Council, Joe Weir confirmed the grim state of affairs: “Firefighters worked under exhausting, appalling and unsafe conditions on the night of the initial fire, doing everything they could despite being stretched to near breaking point.”

He further added: “We simply do not have enough resources. That is the terrifying truth.”

IFSJ Comment

The Albion hotel fire highlights the crucial role of proper funding and resources in maintaining effective fire service operations.

The comparison to previous incidents by the FBU provides a clear demonstration of the effects of cuts to the service, putting not only property but lives at risk.

It is an urgent call to authorities and policymakers for immediate reassessment and action.

UK firefighters call for 12-month maternity pay to protect mothers and babies

by Featured NewsHealth and Safety

Fire Brigades Union demands full maternity pay for a year, citing health concerns

In a significant move, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has advocated for twelve months of maternity leave on full pay for firefighters.

This proposal has been informed by research findings, suggesting that exposure to firefighting contaminants can detrimentally affect the health of pregnant firefighters, foetuses and babies.

Current maternity pay policies put financial pressure on mothers

In a letter submitted to the Local Government Association, the National Women’s Committee of the FBU highlighted that numerous women feel compelled to resume firefighting duties prematurely when their pay is reduced by half, making extended maternity leave unaffordable.

Despite the physically rigorous nature of their work and the associated exposure to harmful fire contaminants, the existing maternity pay policy for firefighters only provides 90% of the usual salary for the initial 6 weeks.

This is followed by a further decrease to 50% pay for 12 weeks, and subsequently, the statutory maternity pay. This policy is set out as the national standard in the Grey book.

There are, however, fire and rescue services that offer more generous maternity pay packages, resulting in an uneven distribution of benefits based on geographic location.

For instance, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service provides full pay for 26 weeks of maternity leave.

Fire service employers are now reviewing the maternity pay issue

This matter has now been put forth to fire service employers who have acknowledged the problem and have pledged to respond in a timely manner.

Ben Selby, FBU assistant general secretary, commented on the situation: “We need the best possible national maternity provision to support new mothers in the fire service instead of them being punished with a pay cut.

“This injustice is a health issue, with firefighters facing occupational health risks for themselves, foetuses, and new-borns due to exposure to contaminants.

“Employers should be doing everything in their power to ensure that the material support is there, so that nobody is forced to choose between working as a firefighter and becoming a parent.

“Proper maternity pay is essential for building an equal, supportive fire service which values and protects the health of pregnant staff and new parents.”

Robyn Richardson, acting secretary of the FBU National Women’s Committee, also added: “No-one should have to choose between protecting their salary and having a baby. Many firefighters struggle to make ends meet on half pay, forcing them to return to work far sooner than they should have to.

“Women have been raising the need for proper maternity provision for decades: it is vital to building a supportive, inclusive workplace. The fire service can and must do better.”

IFSJ Comment

This is a crucial development in the fight for better maternity rights within the fire and rescue services.

Ensuring the health and well-being of our brave firefighters, and their children, should be of paramount importance.

By offering a year of full maternity pay, we can alleviate some of the financial pressure on new mothers and help to safeguard their health and that of their newborns.

About the Fire Brigades Union

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is a trade union in the United Kingdom for wholetime Firefighters, Retained Duty System and Volunteer Firefighters, as well as Control Staff.

Since its inception in 1918, the FBU has been committed to representing the interests of its members, championing better health and safety provisions, pay, and working conditions.

Fire Brigades Union expresses concern over plans to scrap fire safety in asylum seeker accommodation

by Featured NewsSafety

Union criticises UK Government’s proposed changes to fire risk assessment rules

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has voiced its strong opposition to recent proposals by the UK Government.

These plans suggest a significant change to current fire risk assessment rules applied to accommodation for asylum seekers.

The proposed changes, published in May, suggest that the accommodation provided for asylum seekers on behalf of the Home Office would no longer require an HMO licence.

HMO licensing, overseen by Local Authorities, ensures adequate safety measures and equipment are in place.

Fire Brigades Union warns of potential consequences

The FBU has voiced concerns that exempting asylum seeker accommodation from these regulations could potentially lead to loss of life and injuries.

They further highlight the risks to firefighters, who may have to respond to emergencies in facilities with inadequate fire safety provisions.

The Union’s intervention increases pressure on the government’s policy, which already faced criticism from Labour last month.

Fire Brigades Union official statement

Ben Selby, assistant general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, voiced his concerns: “It’s utterly shameful that the UK Government is cutting back fire safety risk assessments for accommodation used to house asylum seekers.”

This policy, Selby warns, “could have tragic consequences with the loss of life and injury.” He criticises the government’s approach as “callous and reckless” and believes it puts both the safety of asylum seekers and firefighters at risk.

By removing the requirement for an HMO licence, Selby suggests that the government appears to devalue the lives of asylum seekers. He further emphasises: “Everyone has the right to live in safe accommodation, regardless of where they were born. Firefighters don’t check passports when they rescue people, and fire safety regulations cannot discriminate either.”

About the Fire Brigades Union

The Fire Brigades Union represents the voice of firefighters and other workers within the fire and rescue service in the UK. The Union works to improve the safety and working conditions of fire service workers, advocating for better public safety through improved services and standards.

Comment from the International Fire & Safety Journal

This development is of significant importance for the field of fire and safety. The Fire Brigades Union’s opposition highlights potential safety risks to both asylum seekers and emergency responders alike. It underlines the vital role that fire safety regulations play in protecting vulnerable communities and those charged with their rescue in emergency situations.

To read the FBU’s comment in full, please follow the link here.

Firefighters fundraise for Care4Calais

by Featured News

At the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) annual conference, firefighter delegates from across the UK united in a unique display of solidarity for a humanitarian cause. The FBU, known for its tradition of fighting against injustice and oppression, took a novel fundraising approach this year, selling specially designed T-shirts to raise funds for the charity Care4Calais.

The solidarity T-shirts, featuring the famous Paddington Bear, proved highly popular among the delegates, nearly selling out in only two days. The sales resulted in a generous donation of over £1,700 to Care4Calais, a charity dedicated to assisting refugees.

FBU National Officer orchestrates initiative

FBU National Officer, Tam McFarlane, orchestrated this fundraiser. He expressed the FBU’s long-standing practical support for Care4Calais, saying that numerous FBU officials have “first-hand experience of the vital work” done by the charity. He continued by expressing the firefighters’ proud history of humanitarian support and how this initiative was “another expression of FBU solidarity.”

He summarised his hopes for the future, stating that he wanted the initiative to inspire FBU members to “find out more about the work of Care4Calais and offer them practical support and solidarity.”

Care4Calais CEO Extends Thanks to FBU

Steve Smith MBE, CEO of Care4Calais, thanked the FBU for their support, praising FBU members’ commitment to their communities and their readiness to show solidarity with some of the world’s most vulnerable people. He said: “Care4Calais is proud to work with the FBU” and that they are “eternally grateful for their unwavering support.”

He further commented on the popularity of the special edition T-shirts, suggesting they symbolised FBU members’ commitment to a: “fair and just world where all human beings are treated with dignity.” He assured that the funds raised would make a significant difference to the refugees supported by Care4Calais.

Fire Brigades Union wins landmark case in Employment Appeals Tribunal

by Featured News

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has emerged victorious in a significant landmark case at the Employment Appeals Tribunal, following a judgement that will have wider implications for the way that trade unions function. The case involved the former Executive Council member, Paul Embery, who had previously been ruled to have been unfairly dismissed from his role.

However, in the appeal brought by the FBU, it was argued that as an elected lay official, Embery could not have been unfairly dismissed because he was not an employee of the union. This was a crucial point of principle, as it sought to reinforce the distinction between union staff and lay officials who are part of a different, elected structure within the union. Lay officials are accountable to the Executive Council and other elected bodies, rather than to the staffing structures of the union.

The Employment Appeals Tribunal categorically overturned and substituted the original ruling, in a highly unusual move that was celebrated as a significant legal win for the FBU. The judgement effectively upholds the principle that lay officials are not union employees, and sets an important precedent for future cases.

Categorically overturned

The FBU is one of the UK’s largest and most influential trade unions, representing firefighters and other workers in the fire and rescue service. The union is dedicated to upholding the rights and interests of its members, and has a long history of campaigning for improved working conditions, fair pay and better safety standards.

Commenting on the outcome of the case, FBU National Officer Mark Rowe said: “The Fire Brigades Union welcomes this judgement, which vindicates our arguments and actions in this case. The ruling will come as a relief not only to the FBU but to the whole trade union movement. It is vital that the distinction between staff and officials is preserved. Lay officials are the elected leadership and representatives of the union, not its employees. Treating lay officials as employees would have had serious implications, both in principle and in practice.”

Rowe went on to express the hope that the judgement would put an end to the legal dispute over Paul Embery’s time as an official of the union, which had been subject to democratically established rules and processes. “The Fire Brigades Union looks forward to getting on with what we do best – fighting for our members’ interests,” he said.

IFSJ Comment

Overall, the FBU’s victory at the Employment Appeals Tribunal is likely to be a significant boost for the union and for the wider trade union movement, as it seeks to uphold the rights and interests of its members and ensure that they are treated fairly and equitably.