The Fire Brigade Union is preparing a national ballot for strike action on pay. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service have responded by publishing a recruitment drive for Emergency Fire Crews awarding candidates with a £1000 training bonus.
Fire Brigade Union
Bills are rising dramatically. Firefighters are increasingly struggling to pay their mortgage or rent, and many are facing choosing between putting food on the table or switching on the heating.
Firefighters and firefighters control were called ‘key-workers’ during the pandemic – but now they face another significant cut to their real wages.
A 2% pay offer is an insult and we won’t stand for it.
Workers everywhere are rising and saying enough is enough. The government and fire service employers need to listen. And the only way to make them pay attention is for us to take a stand.
We are currently consulting members on the ballot and any potential strike action. Read more Fair Pair or Fire Strike
Emergency Fire Crews Needed
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Following the announcement of a ballot for industrial action, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue (OFRS) are recruiting Emergency Fire Crew Supervisors, Emergency Fire Crew and Emergency Fire Crew Drivers to provide additional support to firefighting operations as part of the contingency arrangements for each fire and rescue service.
Fire and rescue services have a statutory duty under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to have in place robust plans to deal with disruptions to the provision of fire and rescue services as a result of extreme weather conditions, industrial action, pandemic or other exceptional events.
EFC personnel will receive basic training that will enable them to prepare, set up and operate equipment in support of firefighting operations. The role will involve responding to emergency calls, minimising loss of life, injury and damage to property, managing emergencies until they are resolved. These emergencies will be varied and will include fires and road traffic collisions.
All activities, both during training and any periods of operational deployment, will be carried out under supervision. All roles will be provided with all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
This is not a Firefighters role and those who take up the temporary role of EFC will not accrue any advantage over other applicants if they wish to apply for a Firefighting role in the future.
Details can be found at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service