Fire service mergers - union organisation

Conference notes the proposal to merge Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
Services into a single service. The FBU has previous experience of Fire Service
mergers, including the merger which resulted in the creation of Devon and Somerset
Fire and Rescue Service. Conference notes that the period following a merger creates
significant pressure on the capacity of FBU Officials who have to engage in
negotiating new policies, procedures and working practices in a new Service.

Conference believes that any alteration to the organisation of the Union following a
merger must have proper regard to all the factors involved, including the geography of
the new Service, increased workloads on Officials, different working practices etc. It is
also vital that any alteration to the organisation of the Union following a merger must
also carry the support and confidence of all the members involved.

To this end Conference believes that when a merger is being proposed, the
organisation of the Union must be given proper consideration and be carried out
through full consultation with the Brigade Committees involved. This should not be
done in a “one size fits all” manner but rather all organisational models should be
considered.