10 July 2004

As you may have read in the press or seen on TV your local Firefighters have suspended their Annual Conference. After waiting for two years for our conference it obviously needed something major to happen to call it off.

Something major did happen. The Government, through the control they have over our employers, has walked away from the agreement both sides made on progression of the fire service and instead decided that YOU and your family are not to be given the best level of protection you deserve.

The Government would have people believe we are in dispute with them about working practices at fire stations at night time. This is wholly wrong and completely misleading.

THE GOVERNMENT WANT TO REDUCE YOUR NIGHT TIME PROTECTION

When we are ‘on call’ at night we do EVERYTHING WE DO DURING THE DAY TIME. At night time we drill, inspect premises, have lectures, train in latest practices, maintain equipment and fire engines, study for exams, carry out fire safety visits on station and off stations, run courses for local organizations such as youth groups etc etc.

We believe that we should aim to have ZERO FIRE DEATHS.

This Government has refused to sign up to this. Why? According to their own figures more people die in fires at night time and more are injured. This is why they want to divert the argument and con the public. This issue isn’t about what firefighters do at night.

ITS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT NOT WANTING US THERE AT NIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE

Our position is clear. WMD.

We Must Defend your rights to protection at night time. We Must Defend your fire service. This Government say you need more nurses to care for you and they say they have provided them. This Government say we need more police officers to protect us. And they say they have provided them.

And this Government say you are more likely to need firefighters at night time due to the seriousness of night-time fires and yet YOU CAN’T HAVE THEM.

In fact they are going to REDUCE the number of Fire Service employees. Where is the logic in that? Where is YOUR protection?

Don’t be misled by this Governments spin.

This isn’t about night time work. Its about night time protection.

Your Protection.

Contact:

Dean Mills 07956 502585