Fire and Rescue Service needs resources to tackle floods

18 November 2010 – Press release

Fire and Rescue Service needs resources to tackle floods

As firefighters tackle flooding in Cornwall, the Fire Brigades Union has demanded a change in the law to ensure fire crews have the right equipment to tackle these emergencies.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary said: “Firefighters have again acquitted themselves with distinction in rescuing people during the floods in Cornwall. They fully deserve the praise from the public and politicians.

“But the floods in Cornwall have once again shown up the lack of equipment available to firefighters to tackle these emergencies. A year on from the Cumbria floods and three years after the 2007 floods, firefighters are still waiting for a change in the law to ensure they have the boats, the suits and the other equipment needed to help the public.

“The government should stop equivocating and implement the Pitt Review’s recommendation, to make fire and rescue services duty-bound to respond to floods. The government should hand over the £2m promised to the fire and rescue service to ensure it is ready for the next flood emergency.

“More flooding is expected this winter. There is no room for cuts in the fire and rescue service. The frontline has to be protected. People expect their firefighters to be there in any emergency. The government is playing with people’s lives.”

Ends

For further information please contact:-

Francis Beckett 020 8349 9194 07813 001372

http://www.fbu.org.uk/newspress/pressrelease/2010/11_18.php

More opposition to fire control room move

FURTHER opposition to the Island losing its own fire control centre has been voiced.

Newport Parish Council joined organisations opposed to the control room being transferred first to Surrey and then to the new combined control in Fareham.

The Isle of Wight Council decided on the interim measure of moving to Reigate as a way of saving cash.

It has no choice over being part of the new combined control room once it is complete but there has been no date confirmed for the change.

Calls at Monday’s meeting to keep local control were led by parish council chairman Peter Whiteman.

He said: “I cannot see why the Isle of Wight Council is doing this. We need local knowledge in the control room.”

But Isle of Wight Council member Cllr Richard Hollis said the case for transferring a control room that dealt with only a small number of calls was ‘overwhelming’ and technology meant lack of local knowledge should not be a problem.

Source: http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/more-opposition-to-fire-control-room-move-35372.aspx
By Richard Wright – Thursday, October 21, 2010

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk

Related links:

Newport Parish Council

Councillor Richard Hollis

Isle of Wight County Press

Fire Won’t Wait – Save the Isle of Wight Fire Control Centre

Fire Brigades Union warns of 10,000 job losses in Fire and Rescue Service.

October 20 2010

PRESS RELEASE:  Fire Brigades Union warns of 10,000 job losses in Fire and Rescue Service.

Ten thousand fire service jobs are under threat from government plans to slash 25 per cent from fire and rescue service budgets over the next four years, the Fire Brigades Union warned today.

Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, said: “This government seems intent on imposing cuts that will wreak havoc within the fire and rescue service and short change both the public and firefighters.

“These pernicious cuts must be fought to defend public safety. They are not inevitable, but politically driven. The FBU will oppose these draconian attacks on an essential frontline service and robustly defend the key role firefighters play in keeping communities safe.

“We cannot just meekly roll over and accept this. Neither should the employers. Firefighters are professionals – and we won’t stand by and see our service dismantled piecemeal.”

A Treasury document released this afternoon spells out that central government grants to local authorities to fund fire and rescue services will be reduced by 25 per cent over four years.

In announcing the measures in Parliament, Chancellor George Osborne encouraged fire and rescue services to compete for the shrinking pot of public funds. He said that fire and rescue services could “limit budget reduction in return for substantial operational reform”. Measures mentioned include “flexible working arrangements” and “pay restraint and recruitment freezes”.

Matt Wrack commented: “This is pitting one fire and rescue service against another as resources dwindle, rewarding those who drive down pay and conditions and penalising the rest more. It is bullying and divisive.”

Press Contact – Helen Hague 07889 792360

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