The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is urging the Home Office to show firm commitment to saving the fire and rescue service following the devastating cuts of around 30% imposed under the control of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The Home Office confirmed last night (5 January) that it is set to take over the running of the fire and rescue service.
General secretary of the FBU Matt Wrack, said: “This move doesn’t allay any of our fears and concerns about PCCs (police and crime commissioners) taking over the running of the fire and rescue service, but it could provide an opportunity for the Home Office to show solid commitment to stopping the service being further dismantled. The DCLG has washed its hands of public safety by cutting the fire and rescue service to the bone, and it hasn’t listened to any of the stakeholders or experts including the FBU. This has to change under the Home Office.
“We are sceptical based on our experience of this government so far, but we are hoping very much to see improved funding for national risks such as flooding and terrorism, which would see improvements to resilience.
“We have always agreed with close collaboration with other emergency services, but we remain concerned that the takeover of our service by PCCs will mean a loss of our independence and a threat to the professionalism of firefighters. We will seek assurances from the new minister that the distinct nature of our work will continue be recognised under future arrangements.”
On firefighter pay, which has been virtually frozen since 2009, Wrack added: “The government has talked a lot about ‘harmonisation’ between police and firefighters – it would be nice if we might start looking at harmonisation of pay as well.”
