The truth of the matter is that it need
cost nothing at all. We don’t understand why Mr Blair said it
would push up mortgage rates! If the Fire Service were funded
at a level which would enable us to reduce the number of arson
incidents and reduce other calls such as Car Crashes then we could
actually save money in the long term.
There has been a review of the Fire Service and the way in which
we respond to incidents. Firefighters want to respond to where
lives are at risk. At present we respond to where property is
most concentrated. We need to consider other factors such as for
example motorways routes, and where people actually are etc.
We want a life risk based fire service but the Government have
only funded us to the extent where we respond to property density.
If you live in a village we believe your life is just as important
as that of a city dweller. But the Government will not fund the
Fire Service to provide the same level of service. The FBU believe
that is wrong. However this is the actual cost of implementing
a fair rate of pay for Firefighters who work 365 days a year in
your County is set out here.
Cost of pay increase per household
in the Southern Region:
| Brigade |
Cost
of pay adjustment per day |
| Isle of Wight |
6.57p |
| Berkshire |
5.14p |
| Hampshire |
4.57p |
| Dorset |
4.42p |
| Oxfordshire |
4.42p |
| Bucks |
4.28p |
Variations due to number of dwellings in each County. Cost
expressed as cost per dwelling
*Household costs as a comparison:
| Item |
Cost per week |
Item |
Cost per week |
| Beer & Lager |
£ 7:40
|
Wine
|
£ 3:20 |
| Cigarettes |
£5.40 |
National Lottery |
£2.60 |
| Plants/flowers/garden |
£2.20 |
Ready Meals |
£2.10 |
| Newspapers |
£2.00 |
Bread |
£1.80 |
| Pickles, sauces |
£1.50 |
Cheese |
£1.30 |
| Fizzy Drinks |
£1.00 |
Crisps |
£1.00 |
| Tea & Coffee |
£1.00 |
Videos |
90p |
* Source: 2000 – 2001 Family Expenditure Survey
All information taken from work commissioned by the FBU and carried
out by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Click here
for the full report in
The
cost per week is less than the price of a packet of peanuts!
Dean Mills
Regional Secretary
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you have any queries
or want any more information please contact me on:
Mob: 07956 502585
Regional Office: 01494 513034
email:deanmills@hotmail.com
Y...because
we're worth
it! |
|
