ECJ Judgment WTD and Firefighters
Refugees risking it all
The inside account of one retained firefighter’s month-long deployment to the frontline of Europe’s refugee crisis. William Murphy reports. Four days go by without any action. A storm raging over the Mediterranean has interrupted the smugglers’ schedule of boat launches. Then, on the fifth day, a...
A key role in history and firefighting
Firefighters and their union have been at the forefront of many key developments in the fire and rescue service, research for the FBU’s centenary confirms. Helen Hague reports. By the end of 2018, FBU members and the public should know a great deal more about the history of the firefighters’ union...
North Yorkshire's fire chief is playing Russian roulette with public safety
Up to 18 fire engines are unavailable to respond to emergencies each day in North Yorkshire because of chronic staff shortages, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) can reveal. The public are being put at risk, says the FBU, because firefighters from major towns and cities are being seconded to fill gaps...
Cumbria council in u-turn as five fire stations saved from axe
Five fire stations earmarked for closure in Cumbria have been saved after the local council cited the recent floods as a key reason to keep the stations operational. Cumbria County Council confirmed the decision at a meeting of its cabinet this morning (4 February). Les Skarratts, secretary of the...
Test legal case victory means retired firefighters to be compensated
Thousands of retired firefighters will be compensated after a successful legal challenge found that they did not receive the lump sum in their pension that they were entitled too. A complaint to the Pensions Ombudsman that the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) failed to review the commutation...
Cambridgeshire firefighters call for better terms and conditions to recruit to safe levels
Cambridgeshire MP, Stephen Barclay recently issued a supporting appeal in the local paper asking for local retained firefighter applicants for Manea Fire Station which lies within his constituency. Manea, having recently successfully fought off the threat of closure, is having difficulties in...
“Unfairly treated” South Wales firefighters win grievance appeal
A grievance appeal panel has conceded that South Wales Fire and Rescue Service treated firefighters unfairly when they reduced a compensation package to be paid for three years instead of five. The compensation package was paid as a result of downgrading Cowbridge fire station, where the...
Councillors vote to close Blaina fire station and axe appliance in Wales
South Wales Fire and Rescue authority voted to close Blaina fire station as well as lose Cwmbran’s RDS appliance as part of the Services Fire Cover Review. The group made of councillors from local authorities in the area voted to lose both following a meeting this morning. The fire service said the...
