A positive safety culture regarding working time and rest periods

Conference applauds the commitment of Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters to their local communities. Some firefighters even choose to take secondary contracts as RDS firefighters in addition to their primary Fire and Rescue Service employment. These staff provide retained cover during periods not covered by their primary contract.

For the avoidance of doubt this is not referring to collective agreements to the national duty system ‘Day-crewing duty system’ contained within Scheme of Conditions of Service Sixth Edition 2004 (updated 2009).

Unfortunately, some firefighters choose to provide Retained cover during rest periods and on rota days immediately pre and post their primary employment shifts. This does not allow staff to have enough rest to ensure their wellbeing and safety, neither does it comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services reported its findings from Fire and Rescue Services inspected as part of tranche one. The inspectorate raised concerns with some Fire and Rescue Services ability to monitor overtime, secondary employment and compliance with the Working Time Regulations.

Conference calls on the Executive Council to raise this issue with the employers’ side of the NJC with a view to issuing a circular regarding safe and legal rest periods between primary and secondary employments, particularly in cases where the Fire and Rescue Service is both the primary and secondary employer.