e-Bulletin - National RDS News 02 March 2009

Part of the modernisation process has seen the implementation of a standard set of entry tests for new recruits into the Fire Service, irrespective of the duty system worked. We have been monitoring the outcomes of these tests and there is evidence in some services that the failure rate is very high. Attracting new recruits into the RDS has always proved a challenge for a variety of reasons; unfortunately these tests have exacerbated the problem.

This issue has been acknowledged at national level by CLG who submitted a paper to the Practitioners’ Forum back in July 2008, proposing a review of the tests to ensure that there is no adverse impact and determine if there are other ways in which the process could be improved.

Whilst implementing the tests in a strict fashion can cause failure rates to increase, we believe that one of the keys in overcoming this problem is ‘flexibility’, candidates need be given opportunities to practice all elements of these tests, along with an awareness of exactly what is expected of them on the day.

If you are aware of any specific issues within your FRS relating to the National Firefighter Selection Process good or bad we would like to hear from you - click here.

24th February Drivers’ Hours: Exemption for Reservists – Ministerial Statement

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) announced yesterday that the European Commission has agreed to the Government’s request for an exemption from Regulation (EC) 561/2006 on drivers’ hours for professional driver reservists when undergoing military training.

While the threat of removal of the Opt-Out is without doubt ‘Front and Centre’ at the present time, let us not forget that this issue has not gone away, and AGAIN we are fighting this where others are not!

This exemption has been granted is in accordance with the provisions in Article 14.1 of Regulation (EC) 561/2006, applies to the weekly rest requirements in Article 8(2) and 8(6) of Regulation (EC) 561/2006. and will enable a driver who finishes his/her normal driving duties on a Friday to complete a 34 hour period of military training as a volunteer reservist and then resume normal driving duties again on a Monday morning as follows:

‘The exemption will apply to 15 days’ annual camp and 10 weekend training sessions per annum – a total of 35 days. Weekend training will not be allowed to take place on consecutive weeks (other than in respect of the 15-day annual camp);

a regular daily rest period of 11 hours must be taken between the end of weekend training and start of work for the primary employer;

a regular weekly rest period of 45 hours must be taken no later than at the end of the sixth day following a period of weekend training

Until such time as the exemption can be transposed into domestic legislation, it will be implemented by administrative means. The Ministry of Defence will be issuing guidelines that outline how drivers can manage their volunteer reserve service in accordance with the exemption, and a copy of the European Commission’s Decision will be published on the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency website’

This announcement is an interesting development and good news for military reservists, it shows that UK government has recognised the issue and taken steps to address it. However this announcement does nothing to resolve the threat hanging over RDS whose primary employment brings them ‘In Scope’ of the regulations. Having already raised this matter with Jim Fitzpatrick on the 24th November last year, we intend to use this development as an example of good practice in bringing about a resolution. The RFU Presidential Team is meeting with Fire Minister Sadiq Khan on the 12th March and both the Opt-Out and In Scope issues are agenda items.

Many thanks to all of you who have signed our online petition to ensure that UK retained fire-fighters keep the right to Opt-Out of the WTD and continue to provide an excellent service to their communities. Please feel free to circulate the petition to all your friends asking them to support this vital campaign!


	02 March 2009

National Firefighter Selection Tests Part of the modernisation process has seen the implementation of a standard set of entry tests for new recruits into the Fire Service, irrespective of the duty system worked. We have been monitoring the outcomes of these tests and there is evidence in some services that the failure rate is very high. Attracting new recruits into the RDS has always proved a challenge for a variety of reasons; unfortunately these tests have exacerbated the problem. This issue has been acknowledged at national level by CLG who submitted a paper to the Practitioners’ Forum back in July 2008, proposing a review of the tests to ensure that there is no adverse impact and determine if there are other ways in which the process could be improved. Whilst implementing the tests in a strict fashion can cause failure rates to increase, we believe that one of the keys in overcoming this problem is ‘flexibility’, candidates need be given opportunities to practice all elements of these tests, along with an awareness of exactly what is expected of them on the day. If you are aware of any specific issues within your FRS relating to the National Firefighter Selection Process good or bad we would like to hear from you - click here. 24th February Drivers’ Hours: Exemption for Reservists – Ministerial Statement Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) announced yesterday that the European Commission has agreed to the Government’s request for an exemption from Regulation (EC) 561/2006 on drivers’ hours for professional driver reservists when undergoing military training. While the threat of removal of the Opt-Out is without doubt ‘Front and Centre’ at the present time, let us not forget that this issue has not gone away, and AGAIN we are fighting this where others are not! This exemption has been granted is in accordance with the provisions in Article 14.1 of Regulation (EC) 561/2006, applies to the weekly rest requirements in Article 8(2) and 8(6) of Regulation (EC) 561/2006. and will enable a driver who finishes his/her normal driving duties on a Friday to complete a 34 hour period of military training as a volunteer reservist and then resume normal driving duties again on a Monday morning as follows: ‘The exemption will apply to 15 days’ annual camp and 10 weekend training sessions per annum – a total of 35 days. Weekend training will not be allowed to take place on consecutive weeks (other than in respect of the 15-day annual camp); a regular daily rest period of 11 hours must be taken between the end of weekend training and start of work for the primary employer; a regular weekly rest period of 45 hours must be taken no later than at the end of the sixth day following a period of weekend training Until such time as the exemption can be transposed into domestic legislation, it will be implemented by administrative means. The Ministry of Defence will be issuing guidelines that outline how drivers can manage their volunteer reserve service in accordance with the exemption, and a copy of the European Commission’s Decision will be published on the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency website’ This announcement is an interesting development and good news for military reservists, it shows that UK government has recognised the issue and taken steps to address it. However this announcement does nothing to resolve the threat hanging over RDS whose primary employment brings them ‘In Scope’ of the regulations. Having already raised this matter with Jim Fitzpatrick on the 24th November last year, we intend to use this development as an example of good practice in bringing about a resolution. The RFU Presidential Team is meeting with Fire Minister Sadiq Khan on the 12th March and both the Opt-Out and In Scope issues are agenda items. Our online petition- WTD Opt-Out Many thanks to all of you who have signed our online petition to ensure that UK retained fire-fighters keep the right to Opt-Out of the WTD and continue to provide an excellent service to their communities. Please feel free to circulate the petition to all your friends asking them to support this vital campaign! THE RFU – Join us and be ‘Part of the Solution’ John Barton National General Secretary