Record spending by Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service on consultancy fees and employment agency payments

The Fire Brigades Union has uncovered that Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in the first seven months of this year has spent over half a million pounds on consultancy costs and employment agency fees alone. This almost equals the entire amount spent on these services over a four year period, 2005-2009. If BFRS continue at this rate it will result in a total yearly expenditure of nearly one million pounds. At the same time as this massive increase in consultancy costs, senior managers are proposing a number of reviews incorporated within their recently published ‘Public Safety Plan’ that are specifically aimed at reducing front line costs. Should they be approved in September, it will likely…

PART TIME WORKERS SETTLEMENT – AGREEMENT REACHED

PART-TIME WORKERS SETTLEMENT – AGREEMENT REACHED   Agreement has now been reached on the changes to the NJC Conditions of Service (Grey Book) to implement the successful FBU legal case to ensure that all retained firefighters are recognised and rewarded as part-time workers.  The terms of the settlement also includes a financial award to all “eligible employees”.   A copy of the relevant NJC circulars can be found at www.fbu.org.uk   At this stage, Fire and Rescue Authorities are carrying out a data collection process in order to calculate the payment for each eligible person. Further details on the arrangements for receiving the financial award will follow shortly.   Best wishes.   Yours fraternally  …

Save Isle of Wight Fire Control Centre Petition

FBU members will be aware that the IOW fire control centre is under threat of closure.   A petition to save the control room has begun on the island and it is also important that those of us who have, or intend to holiday on the island also raise our legitimate concerns about the threatened closure. To that end please download a copy of the petition below and ensure it is widely circulated at your workplaces. Completed petitions can be returned to Bro. Andy Cooper CONTROL ROOM Fire Station South Street Newport Isle of Wight PO30 1JQ firewontwait petition

Fire Authority Fails Residents of Berkshire

Fire Authority Fails Residents of Berkshire     Berkshire Fire Authority has agreed to massive cuts in the service it provides to the people of Berkshire and made the frontline even thinner in the County. Instead of firefighters and fire engines, it will spend its money on new back office staff and new buildings.   The Authority agreed a budget cut of £1.4 million that will see –   a reduction to the number of firefighters at Newbury and Windsor a reduced attendance to automatic fire alarms in the County a 27% reduction in the number of operational and specialist officers a delayed attendance to incidents in rural areas the closure of Cookham Fire Station…

FBU raises concerns over Royal Berkshire Fire Authority budget proposal

FBU raises concerns over Royal Berkshire Fire Authority budget proposals   The proposed budget for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be discussed at the Management Committee meeting of the Fire Authority to be held on Monday 14th February. If approved the budget will proceed to a meeting of the full Fire Authority for final approval on Thursday 17th February. Among the proposals to cut £1,480,000 from the service budget over the next year are:   A reduction of the number of fire engines responding to Automatic Fire Alarms (AFA)- If an AFA call develops into a fire situation the reduced or delayed attendance will limit crews in the actions they can take to…

ALL MEMBERS CIRCULAR BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0658MW 22nd 2010 2010HOC0658MWBucks TO:     ALL MEMBERS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE   Dear Brother/Sister, HEALTH AND SAFETY – ASSISTANCE TO/FROM LONDON FIRE BRIGADE Members will be aware that strike action is due to take place in London as follows: 23rd October 2010 from 10.00 Hrs until 18.00 Hrs 1st November 2010 from 10.00 Hrs until 18.00 Hrs It is understood that London Fire Brigade (LFB) have requested extensive assistance on those dates at the following emergency incidents: 1. Incidents that present a risk to human life that are beyond the capability of the LFB’s contingency arrangements.   2. Significant incidents occur beyond the capabilities of LFB contingency arrangements, which threaten major loss of life, or potential…

ALL MEMBERS CIRCULAR BERKSHIRE

CIRCULAR: 2010HOC0658MW 22nd 2010 2010HOC0658MWBerks TO:     ALL MEMBERS BERKSHIRE   Dear Brother/Sister, HEALTH AND SAFETY – ASSISTANCE TO/FROM LONDON FIRE BRIGADE Members will be aware that strike action is due to take place in London as follows: 23rd October 2010 from 10.00 Hrs until 18.00 Hrs 1st November 2010 from 10.00 Hrs until 18.00 Hrs It is understood that London Fire Brigade (LFB) have requested extensive assistance on those dates at the following emergency incidents: 1. Incidents that present a risk to human life that are beyond the capability of the LFB’s contingency arrangements.   2. Significant incidents occur beyond the capabilities of LFB contingency arrangements, which threaten major loss of life, or potential…

Fire Bridades Union concerned about merger of Isle of Wight Fire Control Centre to Surrey

FIRE BRIGADES UNION IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE: 23rd September 2010 Fire Bridades Union concerned about merger of Isle of Wight Fire Control Centre to Surrey At the Isle of Wight Council Full Council meeting, held on Wednesday 22 September 2010, Councillors voted through plans for an ‘in principle’ decision to move the Island’s emergency 999 Fire Control Centre to Reigate in Surrey. The Fire Brigades Union are deeply concerned that these proposals are hastily being moved forward, to the extent that full public consultation and scrutiny is being pushed aside, with the issue of the Island’s Fire Control not due to return to a Full Council Meeting (rather a delegated decision at a future Cabinet Meeting)…

BERKSHIRE FIRE BRIGADES UNION CONDEMNS MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO OUTSOURCE ITS CONTROL ROOM FUNCTION TO SURREY FIRE AND RESCUE

FIRE BRIGADES UNION BERKSHIRE FIRE BRIGADES UNION CONDEMNS MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO OUTSOURCE ITS CONTROL ROOM FUNCTION TO SURREY FIRE AND RESCUE The Fire Brigades Union has expressed serious concerns over management plans to outsource the control room to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. The control room based at Dee Road in Reading, houses 35 firefighters (control) working 24/7 split into four shifts. They handle in excess of 10,000 emergency calls per annum, mobilise the appropriate resources to incidents and coordinate all operational activity throughout the County ensuring firefighter and public safety. Laura Fellows the RBFRS Command and Control Branch Representative of the Fire Brigades Union said: “Firefighters and Control members in the Royal Berkshire Fire…

FBU Letter To Buckinghamshire Members

Dear FBU member, You will have recently received, or imminently be in receipt of, a letter and questionnaire sent to your home address from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS). The letter requests that you indicate your availability to work in the event of industrial action, and identifies four different hypothetical scenarios. The Fire Brigades Union strongly believes that this request is unreasonable, unnecessary and ultimately could greatly undermine our ability to defend imminent attacks on your pay, pension, jobs and conditions of service. Having taken legal advice on this matter please be informed that you are under no obligation to respond to the BFRS letter. BFRS is stating that the information collated will form…