Dear Brother/Sister
Members will be aware from previous circulars that the Fire Brigades Union is engaged in work in a number of forums in order to progress the viability of an agreed Fire and Rescue Service capability in respect of incidents resulting from marauding terrorist firearms attack (MTFA).
A key piece of this work has been undertaken via the NJC's workstream on multi-agency working which I reported in an all members circular dated 5 June 2015 "National Joint Council: Discussions on Fire and Rescue Work" (2015HOC0360MW).
There remain a number of serious concerns which still need to be addressed and last week the Executive Council considered the further steps to progress this matter and all associated factors. In finding the balance between these factors the Executive Council identified that discussions need to be undertaken with the relevant parties (i.e. the National Fire Service Employers and the Government Ministers responsible for Fire across the UK) in order to find solutions to our concerns.
As a consequence, the Executive Council resolved to lift its ban on members undertaking preparatory training for MTFA activity. Like members, the Executive Council is very clear that training for an activity is very different to agreeing that response to MTFA incidents is a part of the suite of duties that can be required of firefighters.
This circular brings that decision to the attention of members. In doing so, members should be clear that the information provided by Head Office in circular 2015HOC0395AD
€œMTFA ' the current position€ remains extant. Members who provide MTFA response to their Fire and Rescue Service do so on a voluntary basis and are strongly advised to remind their employer of this in writing.
I understand that a number of Fire and Rescue Services have assessed that the ban on all MTFA activity has resulted in members' not being able to maintain their skills-proficiency. Accordingly, those Fire and Rescue Services will be aware that they will need to provide refresher training before committing personnel to provide an MTFA response capability.
Best wishes.
Yours fraternally
Matt Wrack
General Secretary
mw/sll
Circular ref
2015HOC0512MW
