All Station/Brigade Reps - Briefing Note 02/09
It has come to our attention that there are a number of operational personnel who are undertaking Co-Responder duties and not represented by any Fire Service Representative Body.
The RFU fully supports the use of First/Co Responder Schemes within the Fire Service so long as certain areas of criteria are met relating to the provision of fire cover, training, competence and liability (further details can be found on the front page of our website).
The RFU has had a Memorandum of Understanding with the CFOA since July 2007 which aims to promote and develop similar schemes across the UK and raise public awareness and confidence in the broader services provided by the Fire & Rescue Services, specifically casualty and trauma care.
RFU members are automatically provided with legal representation and support should the unforeseen happen whilst performing the role of a First/Co responder.
For further clarification please may we refer you to the RFU rulebook which states:
| 21. | Co/First Response |
| 21.1 | The RFU fully supports its paid up members who undertake Co/First Response as part of the range of duties they perform within their employment as operational personnel and as such they shall receive the full range of legal support as applies to any other duty. |
This includes the FREE £20,000 accidental death insurance and additional cover provided by our ‘On-Call’ scheme - a snap shot of the benefits is listed below.
| Benefit description |
Amount Max |
Payment
Period |
| Temporary Total Disablement | £175
per week |
52 weeks |
| Permanent Total Disablement | £15,000
|
Lump Sum |
| Loss of limb | £15,000
|
Lump Sum |
| Loss of hand | £15,000
|
Lump Sum |
| Permanent Loss of sight in one or both eyes | £15,000
|
Lump Sum |
| Death of a Policyholder | £30,000
|
Lump Sum |
| Death of a Policyholder benefit for dependent children | £5,000
|
Lump Sum per dependent child |
| Death of Spouse/cohabiting partner | £5,000
|
Lump Sum |
| Death of dependent child | £5,000
|
Lump Sum |
Our view relating to the use of First/Co Responder Schemes within the FRS is supported by the National Framework which states:
‘Co-responder schemes are an example of innovative ways of working which can have significant impact. Assessment of outcomes has shown that firefighters, working in partnership with their local Ambulance NHS Trusts on co-responding schemes, have had an impact on patient outcomes and further evaluation work is currently being undertaken. The introduction and maintenance of such schemes is a matter for Fire and Rescue Authorities, based on local needs, risk and resources and discussion with partners, however cross-Whitehall/stakeholder discussions will be taking place, on the basis of the latest research, with a view to determining the feasibility and desirability of a national co-responding protocol, as recommended by the Select Committee on the Fire and Rescue Service.’
If you are already a member of the RFU, there is no need to do anything, you already have all the legal and local support in place. If, however, you are not a member of the RFU please ask yourself the question ‘who is going to support you should the unforeseen happen’?
The RFU is the ONLY fire service union who provides representation to operational personnel who undertake this important duty.
Can we also draw your attention to the opposing view taken by the FBU on this matter.
In direct comparison we enclose an extract from the FBU position statement from 2001 which remains valid today:
FBU Policy on
First Responder and Co Responder Schemes as agreed by Annual Conference
2001
'All FBU Members shall oppose, and shall not participate in any proposed
first-
responder or co-responder initiative and shall cease their participation
in any such existing scheme.’
Given the above statement by the FBU, should you require support
as a direct consequence of undertaking the duty of a First/Co Responder
it is only through membership of the RFU that this will be provided.
John Barton
General Secretary
