Firefighters Set to Strike Again on 19th October 2013

Firefighters in England and Wales are set to strike again on Saturday, 19th October 2013 over government pension offers. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has announced the strike will last for five hours, between 18.30 and 23.30.

Ron Dobson, the London Fire Commissioner, said that the London Fire Brigade is prepared for further strike action from the FBU:
“We are as prepared as ever to deal with this next round of strike action. It’s a shame that further action is being taken, but our contingency plan will kick in and we will be ready to deal with emergencies.

“There will be 27 fire engines based at strategic points across London, ready to provide an emergency back-up fire service. They won’t deal with minor incidents like bin fires or automatic fire alarms, but will attend serious emergencies like large fires and road traffic accidents.

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: “We had hoped our first strike was enough to show government that firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.

“We hope this second strike will mean both governments will be willing to discuss the full range of concerns that firefighters and the general public have expressed.

“However, more strikes cannot be ruled out if that’s what it takes to protect public and firefighter safety from these ludicrous attacks.”

Although all 46 fire and rescue authorities in England have robust contingency plans in place, it is advisable to check with your local Fire Service for the level of cover they will be providing and for further advice.

Following some simple steps could help manage risk, reduce the number of calls made to the fire service, and ensure the protection of people, businesses and properties.

• Ensure that all pre-existing fire safety measures are active and effective. For example, check that all fire fighting equipment and fire protection systems are working and all fire risk assessments are up to date, before any industrial action starts.
• Emphasise the importance of staff, contractor and visitor vigilance with regards to potential risks, site safety measures, and evacuation procedures.
• Increase security patrols of the common and external areas of a building, to allow monitoring of accumulated combustible material, a common target for arson attacks, and escape routes, which must be kept clear of obstructions.
• Enforce ‘No smoking’ protocols in and around all premises.
• If the fire alarm is activated within a property, the normal building evacuation process must immediately be put into action. Unless the presence of fire is obvious, investigate the source of the alarm to establish whether or not there is a genuine threat. If certain that there is no fire, then the building should be reoccupied. The Fire Service should not be called and the remote monitoring call centre notified accordingly. If, however, a fire is discovered or there is an unaccountable smell of smoke or smouldering, then dial 999 and ask for the Fire Service as soon as possible.
• If a building houses any lifts, the Site Manager must ensure that clear advice is available on how to contact the relevant maintenance company should a lift become stuck. Such details should be provided inside the lift and at the lift alarm receiving points within the building. The Fire Service must only be contacted if the persons trapped are at immediate risk or in significant distress.

Crucially, it remains the responsibility of employers and occupants to comply with fire safety regulations and employ safety measures designed to protect life independent of Fire Service intervention.

For further assistance on assessing and reducing fire risks, please contact our specialist fire team.

Please note: this bulletin is designed to provide information of a general nature and is not intended as a substitute for professional consultation and advice on a particular matter. All information provided in this communication is intended to provide guidance only and is not intended to supersede internal company policies or guidance. For formal advice on specific items, please contact hello@s2partnership.co.uk. Under no circumstances will the S₂ Partnership Ltd be liable for any damages arising from the use of or reliance on the contents of this bulletin.