Protect Status Quo For Retained Firefighters (West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats)

West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats <contact.us@westworcslibdems.org.uk>

Protect Status Quo For Retained Firefighters

April 6, 2009 1:11 PM

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Richard Burt and County Councillor Clive Smith, who serves on the Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority, have written to the Minister for Europe, Caroline Flint MP demanding that she backs the retention of Britain's opt-out from the European Union Working Time Directive to protect retained fire service cover in Worcestershire.

The Working Time Directive limits working time to 48 hours per week and could cut work carried out by retained firefighters who also have full time jobs.

Clive Smith said: "Retained fire fighters are an integral part of the fire and rescue cover across our county. Under the current opt-out they are able to respond to emergency calls at any time of the day or night, and they also undertake essential training and drills, home fire safety visits and attend local fetes and shows.

"If the opt out is ditched it will open up pandora's box and the service could be bogged down in complicated arguments about working hours and practices that threaten the existing network of fire cover."

"The current system works really well, so if it isn't broke, why fix it?" added Clive.

"We have written to the Minister for Europe in the hope that she will influence Labour MEPs who voted in favour of getting rid of the opt-out," said Richard.

"Retained crews provide the majority of fire and rescue cover in Worcestershire and Herefordshire - including 62 retained firefighters on call in Tenbury, Malvern, Upton and Pershore. Scrapping the opt-out would not only threaten existing fire and rescue services, but it would hurt many working people and businesses that are trying to make ends meet in difficult economic times."