Submitted by SWFBU on
12th August 2011
Dear Brother/Sister,
We will all have been horrified by the recent civil disturbances. The Executive Council and all officials at every level of the Union will want to join the General Secretary in congratulating all members whether crews on appliances, officers or control staff, for their hard work and professionalism carried out under very difficult circumstances.
Head Office has been following the events as closely as we can, and has made the appropriate comments in press releases which can be viewed on the FBU Website. There has been some very useful media coverage as a result.
We have avoided speculation on the direct or underlying causes of the disturbances, and have concentrated on the following themes:
• mentality of the Fire & Rescue Service
• the frustration that firefighters’ experience when not being able to tackle incidents early in such circumstances
• the importance of monitoring crew safety
• the importance of the Fire Service, the stupidity and shortsightedness of cuts in the Service
• calling for government and others to take a stand in opposing cuts in the Service
We have received messages of support from a number of key fire and rescue service leaders which have been welcome. It is disappointing to note however, that the FBU is the only fire and rescue service organisation which is taking a positive stance on these key issues.
We have also had support from the FBU’s parliamentary group at Westminster, most notably John McDonnell, and also from Chris Williamson the lead on fire service matters on the Labour front bench. We have ensured that our concerns have been raised on the floor of the House of Commons.
Whilst our roles at incidents are very different, we do share a number of common problems with police officers and their various representative bodies, principally the Police Federation. Cuts in front line service, alongside increasing demands on the time and resources of the personnel have pushed the two services to breaking point. This point had been reached before the occurrence of the widespread civil uproar over the last week.
Similarly, the FBU, police trade unions and the members in both services endure all of this whilst employers attack our pay and conditions, and government attacks our pensions despite the demands of the occupations and the high contribution rates that are paid by members of the pension scheme that operate in the two sectors.
We welcome the recognition and praise afforded to our members by politicians but, as so often, these words are not met by any substantive action to support and assist members. Whilst we look ourselves, as does the public, and see men and women in the uniform of dedicated emergency service professionals, government ministers and employers seem to view members through some prism, and see men and women in the garb of butlers and housemaids to be patted on the head once in a while, and treated appallingly all the time.
The FBU’s response to the riots and the demands on the Service has been measured and factual. We have avoided an opportunistic and sensationalist approach.
We have received a number of reports from officials and members. We would like to have as comprehensive a picture as possible of what took place over this period (and may yet take place again)
It would be useful, therefore, if members could supply us with any information or events that you feel may assist the Union in relaying the experience of the Service to politicians, police and press.
It may be something simple e.g.
• whether meals were provided when crews were away from the station for protracted periods
• the length of time crews were away from station.
Or more data or call-related e.g.
• the number of calls received by the FRS
• rescues carried out
• attacks by rioters on firefighters’ and appliances/FRS property
• injuries suffered by members
• the details of crews deployed to incidents
• the effect on attendance times to incidents not related to the civil disorder
Please do send in anything you may be of interest. We may not be able to deal with the information or acknowledge receipt or give any feedback. We would like to emphasise that it’s information that we require rather than opinions on the riots, the causes and so on.
Confidentiality will be observed of course. Anonymously provided information can be less helpful as there is no simple method to verify the information. The more detailed the information, the better:
Dates, times, names, locations, statistics, concise summaries of events and actions - all these are key elements. Remember to include the details of your station/workplace and Brigade.
Information submitted by email should be sent to Riotinformation@fbu.org.uk
If you would prefer to send information by post, please address to CD information, FBU, Bradley House, Coombe Road, KT2 7AE.
Again, in closing, well done to all members for their actions over the last week. The job now for officials and for members is to bring the lessons of this week to politicians and the media.
I hope you will assist me by contacting politicians at both ward and national level, urging them to stop attacking firefighters’ and control staff through our pensions; to stop cutting and start re-investing in the Fire Service, and to reward your dedication with a pay deal to ensure stability and fairness within the Service.
Yours fraternally,
ANDY DARK
Assistant General Secretary
