Protection For Emergency Workers

Conference welcomes the Scottish Parliament's commitment to "protect emergency workers from assault or obstruction", but is concerned that the White Paper in its current form will not go far enough to protect firefighters and other workers in Scotland who find themselves victims of assault by virtue of carrying out their jobs. Conference therefore calls on the Executive Council to campaign to maximise the coverage of any legislative change through a package of non-legislative measures designed to create a Zero Tolerance position on attacks on workers and in particular to demand that the Scottish Parliament provide all workers greater protection whilst at work. Conference reiterates its view that the best protection for FBU members is by widespread understanding of the role of the Fire Service and of the neutrality of the Service Therefore, the Executive Council are instructed to ensure that any campaign on the issue of protection from assault emphasises the independence and neutrality of the Service from the police or other law enforcement agencies. Conference further calls on the Executive Council to campaign for the same commitment to be shown from Parliament in England, the Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland.