Press Release 18.08.03

Following a meeting between Colin Ive, RFU President, Derek Chadbon, National General Secretary, and Nick Raynsford, Minister responsible for the Fire and Rescue Service, the RFU has now sent its response to the Government’s White Paper to the Minister.

This is a comprehensive response on many complicated issues, and contains positive and flexible solutions to early modernisation of the Fire and Rescue Service. Many of these are long overdue, such as the ending of widespread restrictive practices, and could be achieved without the need for legislation, and at no/low cost.

Modernise the Fire and Rescue Service without further delay, and in accordance with our suggestions for solutions that require no legislation and are no/low cost.

Recognise that additional firefighting resources are unlikely to reduce fire deaths; a change in emphasis from re-active firefighting to pro-active comprehensive prevention measures is needed, including the installation of domestic sprinklers in some premises of high risk.

Recognise the damage caused by the recent pay dispute has had a positive effect in acting as a catalyst for modernisation.
End the domination of vested interests that have prevented improvements to the communities we serve.
Ensure vested interests do not act as barriers to modernising fire and rescue cover.
Deal urgently with the 20% shortfall in retained personnel, who crew 60% of the UK’s fire appliances. Failure to do this will allow the opponents of change to maintain wasteful working practices that are intended to pay for the recent 16% pay deal.
Modernise management of the fire service, to end what Sir George Bain and the Government White Paper called the second-class status of the Retained Service.
Ensure robust arrangements are in place to enforce these changes to counter those opposed to them.