New MP Dan Byles Supports Retained Fire Fighters and Bedworth Fire Station In House Of Commons

Local MP Dan Byles this week called a debate on the floor of the House of Commons on the vital role played locally and nationally by retained fire fighters, and during the debate he raised the issue of Bedworth Fire Station.

Dan Byles has been a strong campaigner for Bedworth Fire Station, and last year helped to organise a march on Shire Hall against potential plans to close the station.

With the news that Bedworth Fire Station is likely to be saved, but to become a fully retained fire station, Dan Byles expressed his mixed feelings over the change, but his delight that the station will stay open, describing it as “...people power winning the day...”.

During the debate, which was called for by Dan Byles and granted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Dan praised retained fire fighters for being volunteer members of their communities who dedicate their lives to keeping their families and their neighbourhoods safe. He noted that 60% of all fire engines in England are operated by retained fire fighters, and 54% of all fire stations in the entire UK are solely manned by part time fire fighters.

Speaking after the debate, Dan said:

“I am delighted that Bedworth Fire Station looks like it will remain open, and this is a testament to the hard work and the campaigning by so many local people."

“I understand that some people will be concerned at the move towards becoming a retained fire station, but the other option was for the station to close altogether and that would have been a disaster. I believe this is the best compromise that we could realistically have hoped for, and I am pleased that the Chief Fire Officer listened to local people who made it very clear that they didn’t want Bedworth station to shut."

“If this option is supported by the County Council next week, I will fight hard to make sure that all of our whole time firefighters keep their jobs and do not lose out as a result of this change."

“That’s why I called for a debate in Parliament about the role of retained fire fighters, because I am incredibly impressed by the dedication they show. Retained fire fighters do a fantastic job. Like TA soldiers and Police Specials, they are part of the local community who care about their neighbourhoods and who want to play a role in keeping them safe.”

Dan was supported in his debate by fellow Warwickshire MPs, including Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton, who praised the reaction of retained fire fighters in Bedworth to the recent flooding in Delamere Road, saying:

“They attended within several minutes and carried out a diligent professional operation, which helped the residents of that area who were under pressure at that time, some of whose lives were at risk, not to mention the risk to property.”

Following the debate, the General Secretary of the Retained Firefighters Union, John Barton, said:

“Two recent Westminster debates, 30th June and 14th July have at long last drawn significant attention to the valuable services provided by the UK’s On-Call (Retained) Firefighters. We applaud and are grateful to Dan Byles MP for his endeavours, together with other colleagues who supported and spoke in this important debate."

“We fully endorse his comments where he stated"

"It is about communities, volunteering and service to family, neighbourhoods and country. Retained firefighters are paid volunteers who spend up to 120 hours a week on call from home or work. The majority fulfil that impressive commitment in addition to a paid day job; it is not the sort of thing that anyone does for money. These are local people who care about their neighbourhoods and who want to play a role in keeping them safe."

“We could not agree more!"

"He also went on to say"

"It is clear that we rely on our retained firefighters in a way that few casual observers of our emergency services would realise, but they can continue to support us only if we continue to support them"

“Again we could not agree more and go further in saying that now is the time to reinforce a proven method of emergency provision which is much valued by the local communities which are served by it, if this is not visible evidence of the ‘Big Society’ working positively for the benefit of the community then what is?"

“Now is not the time to salami slice a valued asset as is now being witnessed in some services around the country. We call upon MP’s and councillors whose constituencies are also heavily reliant upon on ‘On-Call’ firefighters to step forward in their defence as Dan Byles has done and provide similar support.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Adjournment Debate on ‘The role of the Retained Fire Service’ took place at 7.11pm on Wed 14 July 2010 in the main chamber of the House of Commons.

The debate can be found on Hansard here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100714/debtext/100714-0004.htm#10071443000796

Dan Byles contact: 0207 219 7179

John Barton (National General Secretary of the Retained Firefighters Union) contact: 07880 785887

ENDS