Bell and threat to fire services

Written by Cllr Jacquie Bell and published in Letter published in East Lothian Courier February 20th 2009 on Wed 18th Feb 2009

Cllr Jacquie Bell

Retained fire fighters usually have jobs outside the fire service. As a 2nd job they may spend up to 120 hours a week on call - at home or at their regular work - but they are there for emergencies. They are an important part of British life.

An EU measure - the Working Time Directive - limits working hours to 48 hours a week. This would include the time retained fire fighters spend on call. If it is enforced in full dozens of fire stations will have to offer reduced services. Those most likely to be affected tend to be in small towns and rural areas. They include the stations in Dunbar and East Linton in this ward. For some people the availability of retained fire fighters to man stations could be a matter of life and death. Only having access to full time fire stations could not give the same level of service across the country.

There is still work to be done on how the EU will implement changes to the Working Time Directive. Liberal Democrats are leading the fight at the EU, Westminster, Holyrood and Cardiff to retain the right of retained fire fighters to opt out of the Working Time Directive and thus maintain services. It is essential that the UK Government ensures that the necessary exemptions are in place to allow retained firefighters to continue their work.

MP Alistair Carmichael secured a debate in Westminster on 11th February. South of Scotland MSP, Jim Hume, is writing to local fire stations to advise of Lib Dem support to protect the services of our valued firemen and women. Leading Lib Dem Euro Candidate, George Lyon, intends to promote the cause in Brussels.

Locally I will be supporting the fire service in my own ward.