Region 12 FBU Parliamentary Lobby 17^th November 2010

Briefing sheet 1 – RCC

Background

The centrally driven Regional Control Project has been opposed from the start by the FBU this is on the grounds of Cost, Deliverability, reduction of service to the public and job losses within the Fire and Rescue Service.

The project is years late, millions of pounds over budget and has yet to take one call or mobilise one fire engine.

The monthly rent of the South East RCC Building in Fareham is over £163000 this is the equivalent to the monthly salaries of 70 firefighters.

Both Coalition parties campaigned prior to the General Election that if elected they would scrap RCCs.

Key Questions for MPs

• Do they support RCCs?
• Have they visited their local control room?
• Would they like to visit their local control room?

Ask your MP to:

• Write to the Fire Minister to demand that RCCs are scrapped immediately
• Write a letter to their local newspaper supporting the scrapping of RCCs
• Meet with Brigade Officials to discuss Fire Service issues on a quarterly basis

Region 12 FBU Parliamentary Lobby 17^th November 2010

Briefing sheet 2 – Jobs

Background

The Fire and Rescue Service is a labour intensive organisation. Around 85% of funding goes on salaries. Successive years have seen a reduction in the number of frontline firefighters. If Government budget cuts are translated into fewer firefighters then the quality of service to the public will be reduced.

Every frontline uniformed full time job in the Fire Service brings in a minimum of £3,000 in tax to the exchequer. As well as the money saved by the actions of firefighters in reducing deaths and injuries and insurance pay outs for fire damage.  Thereby saving the NHS cash, and reducing insurance premiums.

The FRS is the Front line of the Front line and therefore jobs should not be cut in the FRS

Key Questions for MPs

• Do they accept that the FRS is the “Front Line of the Front Line?
• Do they support the FBU in fighting for every job in the FRS?
• Do they support Deficit reduction in other areas? i.e. fairer taxation

Ask your MP to:

• Write to CFO and Political leader of FRA demanding they secure all front line jobs in FRA.
• Write to local newspaper supporting the Front line of the front line and demanding no cuts to firefighter jobs
• Meet with Brigade Officials to discuss Fire Service issues on a quarterly basis

Region 12 FBU Parliamentary Lobby 17^th November 2010

Briefing sheet 3 – National Attendance Standards

Background

In 2004 the Fire Services Act came onto the statute books. There were many changes from the 1947 Act but a key change was the removal of National Attendance Times. These were replaced with locally set attendance times, in effect a post code lottery of attendance times dependant upon the whims of the Fire Authority.

The FBU, as the Professional voice of firefighters and control room staff are against locally set times for several reasons.

It gives Authorities the basis for cutting fire stations, fire engines and firefighters. It increases the risk to the public

Key Questions for MPs

Ask your MP to:

• Meet with Brigade Officials to discuss Fire Service issues on a quarterly basis

Region 12 FBU Parliamentary Lobby 17^th November 2010

Briefing sheet 4 – Pensions

Background

In 2006 the Firefighters Pension Scheme (FPS) was closed to new entrants and the New Firefighters Pension Scheme (NFPS) was introduced. Firefighters in the FPS pay 11% of their salaries compared to 6% for members of the NFPS. Both are Final Salary Schemes. Lord Hutton published his interim report in October which set out

Key Questions for MPs

Ask your MP to:

• Meet with Brigade Officials to discuss Fire Service issues on a quarterly basis

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