FTHE MAGAZINEIR OF THE FIRE BRIGADESEF UNION | WWW.FBU.ORG.UKIG | OCTOBER/NOVEMBERHTE 2020 R THE FIGHT FOR OUR SERVICE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES SEE P10

FBU CAMPAIGNS WIN PUBLIC SUPPORT SEE P14 BLACK LIVES MATTER SEE P5 & 16 UNIVERSITIES WARNED OVER FIRE SAFETY SEE P7 GENERAL SECRETARY’S COMMENT MATT WRACK COVID: WE WON’T WALK AWAY NOW

COVID-19 MEN MEDIA When writing my editorial a couple of months ago, we were beginning to see Covid-19 infections increase. Today, there are thousands more cases each day and a second wave truly feels upon us. For this reason our tripartite national agreement was temporarily extended to the end of October and can be extended further still, pending the successful implementation of Covid-19 risk assessments locally. So far, outbreaks of the disease in the fire and rescue service have been few and far between, and we must keep it this way. We have been there A fire last year in Vallea Court in the private Green Quarter development in Manchester which throughout this pandemic has Grenfell-style cladding meant residents were forced to evacuate. Developer Lendlease for our communities with took residents to court to make them pay for the removal of the cladding before agreeing to fire and rescue services pay itself intervening more than 400,000 times to aid the covid-19 response – we such pride. But there is no The next scene of FBU in our service. You can know our members won’t doubt that more needs to be campaigning is in London read more of my thoughts want to walk away now. done to ensure the fire and where members have on this on pages 10-13. rescue service better reflects launched a high-profile BLACK HISTORY MONTH the communities it serves. campaign aimed at preventing END OUR CLADDING SCANDAL October of course marks I promise that the £25m of cuts to London Fire Alongside housing Black History Month, a time FBU will be at the Brigade over two years. campaigners, charities, during which we not only forefront of that fight. We spoke to officials from actors and politicians, we celebrate the contribution of these regions for a special pledged our support for our black brothers and sisters CAMPAIGNS feature on pages 14-15. End Our Cladding Scandal, but also resolve to challenge The last two months have a campaign that calls on the racial injustices that still seen FBU members on the THE BATTLES AHEAD ministers to fully fund vital remain prevalent in society. front foot campaigning The next few weeks and remediation work on private From the dispropor- to protect their service months will be pivotal residential buildings with tionate effects that Covid-19 and the public. for our profession. Local combustible cladding. has had on the black and In East Sussex, members government finances, which Thousands of people minority ethnic community have won a series of part fund our service, have currently have no access to to shocking examples of concessions, amongst them taken a severe hit during government support and police discrimination at the protection of dozens the pandemic, and the face extortionate costs for home and abroad this year, of jobs and fire appliances Westminster government their homes to be made safe. it is clear that there is so that were set to go under at least is already sounding This is not only having a much more for us to do. council plans. And in Surrey, off about plans to huge financial impact on I would like to pay a members successfully forced “balance the books”. residents, but also leaves special tribute to all our black the council to hold an It won’t be easy, but them living in a home they and minority ethnic members emergency public meeting together we must make the know could kill them. The who serve our profession with over its devastating cuts. case for long-term investment government must step in.

2 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 16 CONTENTS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 5 NEWS REGULARS 4 Covid work 5 Sounding off agreement extended Black Lives Matter 5 Cautious welcome for 7 News focus East Sussex proposals Universities warned Unions thank firefighters over blocked fire exits for pandemic role 6 MPs join FBU to condemn 8 FBU photo competition cladding removal delays See the winning image More non-fire than fire 16 Equalities incidents last year Black firefighter who also fought prejudice FEATURES 17 Legal Beagle 10 The battle to fund the As Covid ‘redundancies’ fire and rescue service loom – advice for and its firefighters anyone threatened 14 FBU campaigns win public support and 18 Noticeboard 7 influence local politicians Images and report from FBU photo competition 19 Station Cat Gossip they don’t want you to hear 20 25 year badges

FIREFIGHTER Published by the Fire Brigades Union Bradley House, 68 Coombe Road Kingston upon Thames KT2 7AE www.fbu.org.uk Cover image: Ian Marlow Firefighter production team: Tom Colclough, Anna Zych, Lisa Irving and Alan Slingsby Print: Walstead UK, Storey’s Bar Road, Peterborough PE1 5YS Firefighter is mailed in a 100% compostable wrapper. Please do not recycle the wrapper but dispose of it in your home compost heap, your garden waste or food waste bin. 8

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 3 NON-FIRE INCIDENTS SAFETY WARNING Non-fire incidents FBU and academics’ outnumbered fires union warn over last year as flooding blocked university NEWS increased p6 fire exits p7

VICTORIA JONES/PA IMAGES London firefighter Dominic Pearce and paramedic Daniel Phillips of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) during training at LAS headquarters

FIREFIGHTERS CONTINUE COVID WORK CORONAVIRUS been asked to risk assess all corona­virus- Three quarters provided personnel to response activities, including those that drive ambulances and assist ambulance The agreement allowing firefighters to have not yet been requested by local services, while almost two-thirds assist the NHS and social care sector resilience forums, so that brigades are assisted with the movement of bodies during the coronavirus pandemic has ready for a second wave. to mortuaries. been extended, as a second wave of New data reveals that firefighters have In late March more than three infections spread across the UK. intervened more than 400,000 times to quarters of fire and rescue services The extension will last until aid the Covid response. reported having supply chain problems, 29 October, while risk assessments Eight in 10 fire and rescue services including maintaining the supply of for the nationally agreed activities are delivered more than 80,000 packages respiratory masks, hand sanitiser, wipes, implemented locally. of food, medicines and other essentials cloths and coveralls. The agreement can then be extended to vulnerable people, while more than Eight brigades reported problems further, if agreed by the three sides: the seven in 10 delivered PPE, mostly for the securing essential cleaning products from FBU, the National Fire Chiefs Council, NHS and ambulance services. breathing apparatus suppliers. Issues and national employers. 44% of brigades assisted with securing face mask cleaning products, The FBU has warned that proper face-fitting masks, providing 4,000 masks respirator protective equipment and risk assessments are crucial to prevent for NHS and care staff. other items of PPE persisted into April. coronavirus outbreaks in fire and “Much like their colleagues in the rescue services. ‘LIKE THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE NHS, firefighters and control staff Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, have had to pick up the pieces from a said: “The FBU has played a central role NHS, FIREFIGHTERS AND CONTROL government that gutted their service with in forming the fire service’s response STAFF HAVE HAD TO PICK UP THE austerity and failed to prepare for the to the pandemic, ensuring the safest entirely foreseeable risk of a pandemic,” possible conditions for firefighters. PIECES FROM A GOVERNMENT said Matt Wrack. “But brigades must not be complacent “As death tolls soared earlier in the about the risk to firefighters and the THAT GUTTED THEIR SERVICE year, firefighters stepped in to aid their public – implementing risk assessments WITH AUSTERITY AND FAILED communities in their darkest hour. locally is crucial to keep our heads With a second wave of infections now above water.” TO PREPARE FOR THE ENTIRELY arriving, our crews are staying on Fire and rescue services have now FORESEEABLE RISK OF A PANDEMIC’ high alert.” 4 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 EDDIE HOWLAND SOUNDING OFF Joseph Mendy, FBU black and ethnic minority members’ section national secretary, on a movement that matters BLACK LIVES MATTER The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement raises awareness of the unacceptable treatment of black people. Born in response to US police brutality, East Sussex it has won support across the globe. firefighters tackle a wildfire The FBU’s black and ethnic minority members’ (B&EMM) section wants to explain why this movement is important to us – and there is no better time to do so than October, Black SUCCESS IN EAST SUSSEX History Month. BLM is about advocating for justice, week. The service has also been forced EAST SUSSEX fair treatment, equal opportunities to change plans which would have seen and the value of black lives, as any Firefighters have cautiously welcomed huge numbers of firefighter posts cut. other life. new proposals by East Sussex Fire The new plan was approved by the and Rescue Service after a campaign fire authority at a meeting which agreed This should not be misinterpreted by FBU members forced a re-think of to a further review should more funding to mean that “only black lives matter” devastating cuts. be provided by central government. but, instead, be seen as a message More than 31,000 people signed a Simon Herbert, FBU brigade that advocates for a fairer society by petition and over 2,000 residents wrote secretary, said: “We’re proud of all addressing the systemic injustices faced to the chair of East Sussex fire authority the FBU members who have actively by the black community. opposing plans, which included cutting campaigned to protect their fire service, Unfortunately, racism is common in 90 frontline firefighter jobs, removing ten and a huge thank you to everyone who’s the UK. It can be subtle or overt, and it fire engines and slashing dedicated crews supported us. can exist in public places as well as your for a high-reaching aerial fire appliance “It is positive that the fire authority workplace and in the justice system. ISABEL INFANTES/PA IMAGES at Hastings fire station. has listened to firefighters’ and residents’ We know because we The FBU also ran a high-profile social concerns and revised their plans but have experienced it. media campaign which highlighted the now they must focus on lobbying central A TUC report danger posed by the cuts. government for more funding. revealed that Now, under the new plan, four fire “Our service has been devastated 70% of ethnic engines have been saved and a number of by a decade of austerity and it needs minority workers stations will retain wholetime firefighters investment so that we can continue to have experienced for day-time fire cover seven days a keep East Sussex residents safe.” racial harassment at work and two thirds say they have been subjected to unfair treatment by employers. Outside of TRADE UNIONS THANK FIREFIGHTERS the workplace, people from the black community are disproportionately FOR THEIR WORK IN THE PANDEMIC stopped and searched, die in police custody, and today are seven times TUC healthcare workers, driving Matt Wrack, FBU ambulances and moving general secretary, said: more likely to be fined for breaching At this year’s TUC, trade bodies to mortuaries. “We’re pleased that the pandemic regulations than a unions unanimously The TUC also backed a vital contribution that white person. thanked firefighters for motion pledging to defend firefighters have made We have a duty as trade unionists their work responding to the right of firefighters during the pandemic has and human beings to dismantle the coronavirus pandemic. and control staff to been recognised. racism wherever it exists. That means Data compiled collectively negotiate “Our members will solidarity with brothers and sisters by the FBU shows pay and conditions, continue to help the overseas, but also getting our own that firefighters have which came under attack public and trade unions house in order. intervened more than in a report from Her will stand together to This country prides itself in being 400,000 times to aid Majesty’s Inspectorate support the workers who a diverse country. Let’s promote the Covid-19 response, of Constabulary and are keeping the country solidarity and fairness. Long live the performing duties such as Fire and Rescue Services going through this one race, the human race. delivering PPE to frontline in January. difficult time.”

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 5 NEWS UNION AND MPs CONDEMN LACK OF BRIGADE TO CHALLENGE PROGRESS ON CLADDING REMOVAL STRUCTURAL GRENFELL their policies have come up short. There are potentially hundreds of thousands of people The FBU accused ministers of doing the still trapped in dangerous homes. Without RACISM “bare minimum to fend off bad headlines” proper action, it’s another tragedy waiting GLOUCESTERSHIRE after MPs criticised government progress in to happen.” tackling the safety crisis exposed by Grenfell. The FBU again pointed the finger at Gloucestershire Fire The House of Commons Public Accounts ministers after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and Rescue Service has Committee said the government had “missed heard how lax building regulations were committed to “challenging its target badly” to make thousands of homes exploited by companies in the deadly and dismantling” structural with Grenfell-style cladding safe by June 2020. refurbishment of Grenfell. racism in its service, after It said that it is now “imperative” to meet a Housing and construction industry former personnel told the new deadline of the end of 2021 for work on salespeople knew that, without government BBC that the brigade was remaining high-rise blocks to be completed. intervention, high-rise buildings institutionally racist. But the committee warned that there is would continue to be constructed with The brigade has recognised no convincing plan to meet the deadline. flammable cladding. that racism “clearly can More than three years on from the disaster, In an email seen by the inquiry, a have a huge impact” on the 149 buildings are clad in the same or similar salesperson said that cladding manufacturer health and wellbeing of material as Grenfell. Arconic “won’t change their core until black, Asian and minority Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: they are forced to due to changes in the ethnic firefighters. “After Grenfell, people have a right to expect fire regulations”. The FBU has represented homes to be made safe. But this government Wrack said: “People in the industry knew a number of Gloucestershire has consistently failed to deliver, instead that, until government stepped in, homes firefighters facing racist taunting residents and firefighters with endless would continue to be wrapped in flammable discrimination historically delays and fake promises. cladding and constructed with other and voiced concerns about “At every stage, ministers have done the dangerous materials, but ministers showed no racism in the service bare minimum to fend off bad headlines, but interest in tackling the problem.” repeatedly over the last year. EDDIE HOWLAND

FIREFIGHTERS FLOODED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE CALLS NON-FIRE INCIDENTS increase in the number of wildfires have shown that of call-outs, while fires made flooding incidents recorded. firefighters are battling up 28%. 42% of incidents Firefighters responded to Matt Wrack, FBU the sharp end of climate attended were false alarms. more non-fire incidents than general secretary, said the change. Their work should “Firefighters have fires from March 2019 to “significant” increase in be properly recognised with always taken on a range of March 2020, according to flooding incidents was “likely a statutory duty to respond non-fire work,” said Matt new UK government data. linked to the mass flooding to floods in England and Wrack, “and can be proud Non-fire incidents rose by emergencies across the the proper funding of of stepping up during the 6% to 162,251 compared to country over winter”. their service.” coronavirus pandemic, all the year before, up 12% over “Widespread flooding Nationally, non-fire while still responding to fires the last decade, driven by an in the last year and recent incidents accounted for 31% and other emergencies.”

6 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 NEWS FOCUS UNIVERSITIES RYAN GLEESON/TWITTER WARNED AGAINST DANGEROUS BLOCKING OF FIRE EXITS

Cable ties block fire exit at halls of residence at Leeds Beckett University

Firefighters and education staff have that evening showed tables and chairs incumbent on universities to ensure warned universities that it is dangerous blocking the exit instead. outsourced building management and and illegal to block or lock fire exits, after The unions have thanked West security services understand. pictures emerged of a locked fire exit in Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for Jo Grady, general secretary of student accommodation in Leeds. investigating the incident and warned the UCU ‘which represents 121,000 In a joint letter with the University that “any attempts to take shortcuts with academic staff’, has said the incident and College Union (UCU), the FBU regard to people’s safety must be dealt is further evidence of just how “crass” warned the vice chancellors and with swiftly and uncompromisingly”. comments from Westminster education principals of all UK universities that In the letter, the FBU and UCU told secretary Gavin Williamson were when obstructing fire exits “can, and has, universities that any action to fix shut a he claimed universities were “well cost lives in the past”, demanding fire exit is a breach of the law in every prepared” for the coronavirus crisis that the safety of students and staff be part of the UK and that the “pandemic developing on campuses. “absolutely paramount”. is no excuse, nor mitigating factor for Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, It comes after images circulated this sort of action”, advising that it is said that “the very least” students being on social media showing cable ties locked down in their accommodation sealing the fire exit in Marsden House, should expect is that universities and a student accommodation block at ‘IT’S ILLEGAL TO BLOCK, private housing providers comply with Leeds Beckett University run by fire safety regulations. private student housing supplier iQ LOCK OR OBSTRUCT FIRE “The safety of students must be made Student Accommodation. paramount at universities – and not just The issue hit the news after thousands EXITS FOR ANY REASON safety from coronavirus. of students were forced to lock “There is no excuse for dangerous down in their universities because of – SEALED FIRE EXITS KILL breaches of fire safety legislation as we the pandemic. saw in Leeds. It’s illegal to block, lock or iQ and Leeds Beckett said the PEOPLE WHEN A FIRE obstruct fire exits for any reason – sealed cable ties had been removed after the fire exits kill people when a fire breaks uproar, but a video posted online later BREAKS OUT. END OF’ out. End of.” OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 7 FBU PHOTO COMPETITION

PERFECTLY CAPTURED – A HISTORIC MOMENT Thursday 8pm clap for carers, Sidcup (South East London) fire station by James Atkins is the winner of this year’s FBU photo competition. Judges praised its technical quality, composition and the way it captures a historic moment. See the runners-up and more of the judges’ comments in Noticeboard on page 18.

8 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 9 PAY AND INVESTMENT

THEThe FBU’s campaign BATTLES for fairer funding for the fire and rescue service AHwill be a challenge,£ saysMatt AD Wrack

10 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 THE BATTLES AH BATTLES THE The FBU’s campaignforfairer fundingforthefire and rescue servicewillbeachallenge, says £ Matt Wrack AD

EDDIE HOWLAND I easy –andFBU membersshouldenter better pay duringapandemicwillnotbe said so. the pandemic, itwas aninsult–andwe have undergonethroughausterityand everything firefightersandcontrolstaff have beenabove but,after inflation been unprecedented. cutstoourpayand real-terms have administrations, thecutstoourservice the lastdecade, underTory andLibDem allparties. Butover by governments of both physically andmentally hazardous. skillandfitness, andcanbe high levels of Firefighting isarduouswork, requiring stillduringthispandemic.gone further theircommunitieskeep safe–andhave latest pay increase was an insult austerity and the pandemic, the control staff have undergone through After everything firefighters and fallen by£141.5m. years alone, fire fundinginEnglandhas 2014.Inthelastfour around 30%since slashed fundingforfireandrescueby Treasury’s borrowing andtaxreceipts. council tax)ornationalfundingfromthe source: eitherlocally-raised revenue (like tally, themoneycomesfromsame spend theirfunding. But,fundamen how they having complete controlof services, withHolyrood andStormont much theycanspendonfireandrescue have controlover how varying levels of Ireland, thedevolved administrations central government. theirfundingfrom of proportion greater therefore larger risk,have received a brigades, withalarger populationand centrally, locally, half whilemetropolitan even. arefundedhalf Mostservices government andlocalauthorities. comes fromtwo sources–central Funding forthefireandrescueservice rescue service. understanding fundingforthefireand as aprofession.Andkeytothatwillbe thechallenges we face full knowledge of the comingyear witheyes wideopen,in FINDING THE MONEY FINDING THE Campaigning forinvestment and The latest2%pay increasemay These realitieshave oftenbeenignored comeatacost. But thoseefforts Similar cutshave been madetopublic In England,centralgovernment has In Scotland,Wales andNorthern Historically, thesplithasbeenfairly staff go to extraordinary lengths to lengthsto gotoextraordinary staff of apay rise. need in are members our and of investment need dire in is service –our consensus aclear is there country the down and up rooms control and stations n fire Each day, firefightersandcontrol | FIREFIGHTER 2020 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER - 11 PAY AND INVESTMENT

services across the board, pushing a greater burden onto councils struggling to maintain services under austerity. Local authorities can make up some of this funding through council taxes, business rates and other local revenue streams like car parks and leisure centres. But local government finances have collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic and, despite pledging to protect councils, help from central government has barely scratched the surface. The government is providing some additional funding to help pay for reductions in council tax bills for low-income households, but councils will still take a huge financial hit. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that, without further funding, local authorities are already looking at a £3.1bn shortfall. We already know that local authorities are now being forced to look at cuts to the fire and rescue service. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has said that, without government support, he will need to make £500m of cuts, including £25m to London Fire Brigade’s budget. Councils are forecasting that they will collect £12bn less in business rates this year which, after recouping some costs from government and businesses later on, is projected to cost local authorities £600m. Other council revenue streams look set to remain stagnant at best, with a winter of greater lockdown ­restrictions looming. The drop in council tax payments alone has caused a £1.5bn fall in revenue, estimated to ultimately cost councils £700m. disproportionate burden on those with the The same politicians who told us that But can local authorities raise council lowest incomes. austerity was an “economic necessity” tax to pay for fire funding, or other It has always been the FBU’s priority have borrowed more than £200bn to fund services? The short answer is No. to demand that central government the coronavirus response, bringing UK David Cameron’s Tory government provide proper funding for our service. public debt to above £2 trillion for the brought in a 2% cap on council tax That way, it can be funded through less first time. increases which, even before the regressive means, such as income tax, While the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, pandemic, was not predicted to corporation tax, or capital expenditure. revelled in gushing headlines for spending cover increased demand for local public funds on half-price meals out authority services. TREASURY TERROR through August, his declaration that If councillors want to raise rates The austerity policies inflicted on public “hard times are here” received less by more than 2%, they must hold a services were the government’s response attention. Trade unionists know that referendum, which they are unlikely to a systemic collapse of the global when Tories talk about “hard times” they to win. financial sector in 2008, triggering one of mean the burden will fall onto working With local government finances a the biggest economic crises in history. people, and the Treasury is widely mess, councils are unlikely to provide At the height of that recession, UK understood to be considering another additional funding for fire and rescue GDP fell by 2.6%. In the second quarter damaging public sector pay freeze. services. Even if they could, council of this year, UK GDP fell by 20.1%, the The 2010 freeze, brought in by Tory taxes are relatively regressive and put a single biggest drop since records began. chancellor George Osborne, lasted

12 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 - 13 - OCTOBER/NOVEMBER2020 FIREFIGHTER| But after a decade of the austerity, Nurses received no reward, as they no reward, Nurses received The upcoming autumn spending has sent a detailed The FBU from But it will take a united voice be difficult for will The coming years After our health and social care THE OPTIONS BEFORE US OPTIONS BEFORE THE firefighters and control staff, as they will be difficult for this country of and much the world. again make never must government did not our service for a crisis we pay bring forward and instead must cause, services and that improves investment will rally We rises. proper pay delivers must – but we to demand better together a mountain to climb. have that we know government offered a 2.8% pay rise to offered a 2.8% pay government doctors and dentists. still in the middle ofwere pay a three-year has refused deal, while the government in a to do anything to assist workers by mismanaged fragmented care sector, sector profiteers. private is an important opportunityreview to fight for the fire and rescue service. A better funding settlement than the the last disastrous one that has covered mean there is more would years five equipment and pay. money for jobs, outlining thesubmission to the Treasury case for greater not least noting funding, ofthe significant expansion firefighters’ coming from the govern inspection work fire safety and building safety Bills. ment’s firefighters to pressure the government into action. And it will take pressure on chief done so little fire officers who have for is the time Now to defend our service. them to speak out. – and not one of Labour the Blairite New attacked fire so viciously that variety are still staff. We fighters and control ideologically government facing a Tory people in working opposed to investing under be must And we and public safety. intend they might no illusions about how to “balance the books”. not was year uplift this The 2% pay enough to address our members’ rapidly But, in standards. deteriorating living mind, it has given the government’s rise. pay firefighters an above-inflation colleagues pulled us through the first ofwave this pandemic – and more than 600 of – the them paid with their lives

PA IMAGES/ALAMY GOVERNMENT INTO ACTION and mentally hazardous – a firefighter firefighter a – mentally hazardous and forsilence minute’s observes a of duty line in the died who colleagues IT TAKE A WILL UNITED VOICE FROM FIREFIGHTERS TO PRESSURE THE Firefighting can be both physicallyboth be can Firefighting But that was a Labour government a Labour government But that was Of crises economic and high course, local authority control in 1947. NHS, and building the welfare state. In the state. and building the welfare NHS, offinal years it had established the war, to which moved the National Fire Service, spending cuts. After the Second World After the Second World spending cuts. but the sky-high, debt was the UK’s War, in the economy, chose to invest government creating the nationalising key industries, have undergone a real-terms pay cut of undergone a real-terms pay have around £4,000. public not necessitate public debt do 2017. As inflation outstripped wages, 2017. As inflation wages, outstripped of­particularly the earliest years during restraint, firefighters and control staffpay two years and was followed by another followed and was years two of years restricting pay five caps, pay inflation, lasting untilrises to below DEFNDING THE SERVICE FIGHTING ON ALL FRONTS The pandemic has not stopped the drive by politicians to cut the fire and rescue service – but firefighters and their communities are fighting back

MEDIA CAMPAIGN WINS MASSIVE LOCAL SUPPORT In May of this year, with the UK still under every job, it was a modest victory over potentially nationwide lockdown and daily Covid deaths well into devastating cuts in difficult circumstances – something the hundreds, many firefighters had taken on extensive that members in neighbouring Surrey are hoping new duties to respond to the coronavirus crisis. Some for too.

had even begun moving dead bodies, as mortuary EDDIE HOWLAND services became overwhelmed. People were rallying around key workers, applauding every Thursday night, and there was a momentary sense that, after more than a decade of austerity, the country might be reassessing its priorities. And then, East Sussex fire authority launched a consultation on sweeping cuts to its fire and rescue service. Ninety operational firefighters were set to be cut as the brigade considered slashing 10 fire engines and ending dedicated crewing for its high-reaching aerial appliance. Simon Herbert, FBU East Sussex brigade secretary, lambasted members of the fire authority for launching dangerous cuts “from the safety of their living rooms”. The FBU launched a high-profile local media and social media campaign to pressure local councillors. This mobilised 31,000 people to sign a petition against the cuts, while more than 2,000 residents wrote to the chair of the fire authority. The campaign has so far saved four of the ten fire engines under threat, forced the service to scrap its planned job cuts, and keep seven-day wholetime day cover in a number of stations. The fire authority has agreed to lobby the government for more funding. East Sussex fire appliance near a dam used to supply water to fight a serious fire in While the union continues to campaign to save Ashdown Forest

14 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 JESS HURD JOHNSON’S LEGACY One of the many problems Surrey faces is over- reliance on resources from neighbouring brigades – particularly London Fire Brigade. But London could soon struggle to provide cover for its own residents, let alone its neighbours. Faced with plummeting revenue from council tax and business rates as a result of Covid, combined with soaring demand for services, the Greater London Authority is facing a £500m budget shortfall unless central government steps in. London mayor Sadiq Khan has pencilled in £25m of cuts to London Fire Brigade to make up savings. The mayor has pledged to protect frontline jobs, but the FBU is adamant that there is no way to make those savings without devastating emergency FBU members rally at Surrey county response capabilities. hall in Kingston upon Thames In a city still reeling from the trauma of the Grenfell Tower fire, and a fire service still recovering from the £150m of cuts made while Boris Johnson CELEBRITIES RALLY ROUND was mayor, the brigade fell beneath its minimum crewing level on nearly 100 shifts last year and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service was already in the last year missed its target average response time in midst of swingeing cuts. Firefighters had paused a 156 wards. six-month industrial action campaign, launched in With a Tory government unlikely to come to the December, to help their communities through the aid of a Labour mayor up for re-election in May, the pandemic, but there was no reciprocal de-escalation FBU is gearing up for a major campaign to mobilise from their employer. residents into action.

The first phase of cuts removed four fire engines at DOMINIC LIPINSKI/PA IMAGES night and the brigade, which had spent £900,000 on its “transformation” agenda, declined the FBU’s pleas to scrap the second round of cuts, which would see a further three appliances removed in October. But a hot summer sparked a wave of incidents raising public consciousness about the danger of fire cuts in the county once again, with multiple high- profile fires where it took more than 20 minutes for a fire engine to arrive. When a huge wildfire broke out in Chobham Common, it spread to what tabloids call “Britain’s Beverly Hills”. Crews were treated appallingly by senior managers, expected to work long hours in extreme heat without access to toilets, food, or additional water. After firefighters saved an animal sanctuary run by Queen guitarist Brian May, they told him about the dire condition their service was in and the climate of fear and intimidation their employer had created. January 2013: London firefighters demonstrate against “It’s opened my eyes completely,” May told the then mayor Boris Johnson’s station closures and local BBC. “We’ve seen that the whole National job cuts Health Service had been run down before the pandemic … and now it’s obvious that the fire brigade is chronically under-supported.” CREWS WERE TREATED Writer and Celebrity MasterChef winner Emma Kennedy launched a fresh petition against fire cuts, gaining the support of more than 6,000 residents, APPALLINGLY, EXPECTED but despite being successful in forcing an emergency Surrey County Council meeting over the cuts, the TO WORK LONG HOURS IN petition was essentially dismissed. A long-awaited report from Brunel University on EXTREME HEAT WITHOUT the impact of the first wave of cuts looks set to be a whitewash, but with public safety on the line, fire- ACCESS TO TOILETS, FOOD, East Sussex fire appliance near a dam used to supply water to fight a serious fire in fighters and residents are not easing the pressure and Ashdown Forest will keep fighting. OR ADDITIONAL WATER OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 15 EQUALITIES

October is Black History Month, a time in which people come together to celebrate the incredible contribution of people from the black community and to reflect on our shared history. These extracts from the FBU history record the life of one notable black firefighter, George Arthur Roberts A FIGHTER OF WARS, FIRES AND PREJUDICE George Arthur Roberts BEM, MSM the Blitz and the rest of the war. (1891-1970), was called up to serve In 1943, George was made a in the First World War in 1914. section leader and in the King’s Originally from Trinidad, he was the 1944 Birthday Honours first black man to join the Middlesex was awarded the British Regiment. Serving as a rifleman, he Empire Medal “for fought and was wounded, first at the general duties at Battle of Loos on the western front New Cross Fire in France in 1915, and then in the Station” and for his Battle of the Somme in 1916. part as a founder He was awarded the Meritorious and pioneer of Service Medal, usually given to non- the Discussion and commissioned officers of the British Education groups armed forces for ­distinguished of the fire service, a service or gallantry. government-inspired effort at After being demobbed in 1919 consciousness-raising, during his he became heavily involved with time in the fire service. the post-war welfare of soldiers The Regional Civil Defence and campaigned on behalf of The commissioners informed National Federation of Discharged George of the award and Demobilised Sailors and of his British Empire Soldiers, going on to found a local Medal – “in recog- branch of the British Legion. He nition of your led thousands of ex-servicemen in a exemplary conduct”. march demanding improved rights After his death in and higher pensions. 1970, he became a After the war he settled in South largely forgotten figure, London where he earned a living as until interest in the pre- an electrician, a trade he had learnt Windrush generation of in Trinidad, but found himself up black migrants began to surface over against the bigotry that he and other a decade ago and he is featured in black people were subjected to in Stephen Bourne’s book Black Poppies their day-to-day lives, war heroes – Britain’s Black Community and the “IF WHAT I AM DOING CAN ASSIST or not. Great War, the story of men of the In response, in 1931 he became “old British Empire” who regarded IN SOME SMALL WAY TO BRING one of the founder members of the joining the war effort as a matter League of Coloured Peoples, the of honour. ABOUT A BETTER UNDERSTANDING era’s most influential civil rights On 11 September 2016, in a organisation and one of the first scheme led by the Southwark AND A TRUE FELLOWSHIP AMONGST organisations to focus on the needs Heritage Association, a Blue Plaque of Britain’s black community. was erected in his honour, as the THE PEOPLES OF THE EARTH, I SHALL Aged 50 at the start of WW2 first black man to serve in the army and too old to re-enlist for combat, and fire brigade. The plaque is BE EXTREMELY HAPPY” he joined the Auxiliary Fire Service on the Lewis Trust Dwellings in and was stationed at New Cross fire Warner Road, Camberwell, in the GEORGE ROBERTS ON THE BBC’S station in South East London from London borough of Southwark, his 1939, where he served throughout home until he died in 1970. CALLING THE WEST INDIES IN 1947 16 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 LEGAL BEAGLE ✆ FBU FREEPHONE LEGAL ADVICE RIGHTS AT WORK 0808 100 6061 IN SCOTLAND REDUNDANCY – WHAT 0800 089 1331 WWW.THOMPSONSTRADEUNION.LAW/ YOU NEED TO KNOW TRADE-UNIONS/FBU

At a time when complete year of service below the age of 22. members’ partners Some people may also or family members have a contractual right may be facing the to a redundancy payment that is better than the issue of redundancy, statutory minimum. employment rights specialist Jo Seery of FAIR REDUNDANCY Redundancy is deemed to be Thompsons Solicitors a fair reason for dismissal. advises on checking However, the employer must whether redundancies act reasonably and follow a fair procedure. A fair procedure are genuine, what requires the employer to: rights employees ● warn and consult; have to alternative ● apply a fair selection employment and what procedure; and ● consider compensation might alternative employment. be available A failure to follow a fair redundancy procedure will normally make the The pandemic has forced us dismissal unfair. all to adapt to a “new normal” An employer proposing to which is challenging in itself make 20 or more employees and then, for some, there is the redundant in any 90-day period, possible worry about whether must consult with trade union a loved one faces redundancy. representatives or other elected In general, employees who employee representatives before are dismissed by reason of any redundancies are made. redundancy have a right to: ● a redundancy payment; SATOSHI KAMBAYASHI SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT ● be treated fairly in the Before making anyone redundancy process; and redundant, employers are ● reasonable time off work to consulting with staff over discrimination or victimisation required to look for suitable alter- look for alter­native employment. redundancies (“collective – such as when union activists native employment for them. redundancies”) the definition face redundancy. Someone made redundant REDUNDANCY SITUATION of redundancy is wider and who refuses a suitable offer The law says a redundancy covers “any dismissal for REDUNDANCY PAYMENT of alternative employment, situation arises when: a reason not related to the Two years’ continuous service can lose the right to a ● a business closes; individual concerned …”. entitles someone to a statutory redundancy payment. ● a workplace closes; or This would cover, for example, redundancy payment. Whether an alternative job ● there are fewer employees dismissals because terms and The payment is calculated is suitable is ultimately decided needed to do the work available. conditions of employment are according to age, weekly pay by an employment tribunal. If an employer closes their changing and a new contract (subject to a statutory cap, It will look at what the whole business and then reopens is being imposed. currently £538 per week) job entails, not just the tasks to it as something completely In each case, you need and the number of years of be performed, the terms and different, that would also to work out whether there continuous employment. The conditions (especially hours and count as a redundancy. is a redundancy situation, formula followed is: wages) and the responsibility If the actual workload and if there is, whether the ● one and a half weeks’ pay for and status involved. Location has not decreased, but fewer dismissal was caused by that each complete year of service may also be relevant. employees are needed to do situation. You need to keep after reaching the age of 41; ■ To find out more about it, for example because of a an eye out for “redundancies” ● one week’s pay for each Thompsons’ work with the ­reorganisation, this would also that are in fact employers complete year of service between FBU, visit be a redundancy situation. covering up a dismissal which the ages of 22 and 40 inclusive; or thompsonstradeunion.law/fbu When employers are would otherwise amount to ● half a week’s pay for each or call 0808 100 6061

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 17 LABELNOTICEBOARD

RUNNER-UP: Grass fire near Clydebank, by Martin Cahill FBU PHOTO COMPETITION 2020 This year’s FBU photo not tell a recognisable competition saw another story or capture a single large number of entries with memorable moment. many outstanding images. The winner, James Online judging was as Atkins’ image of firefighters intense as ever with many lining up in front of their images vying for the three station for a lockdown top spots – each with their Thursday night clap for supporters among the NHS workers, was both judges. technically excellent Some judges were and captured one of the impressed by the compo- moments that will define RUNNER-UP: Access to a house in Blackpool via the sition, technical quality the historic period we are third floor window following a severe fire in which the and significance of several living through. entire staircase had burned away, by Wayne Elcock images that came close but The light is perfect and did not make the final cut the composition excellent. angles made by the various of a house in Blackpool because they did not have Martin Cahill’s image of elements. Judges looked has, for non-firefighters a firefighters as a major part a firefighter and helicopter at very closely at its rather low surreal air, but captures of the image. a grass fire near Clydebank resolution before allowing it very well the “anytime, Other striking images in the West of Scotland to qualify. anywhere” nature of a fire- failed to make the top places captured a moment in time Wayne Elcock’s striking fighter’s work. because, while excellent and made it memorable image of a firefighter on a A big thank you for all in most respects, they did through the planes and ladder at the upper window photo competition entries.

WINNER: Thursday 8pm clap for carers, Sidcup fire station, by James Atkins. See a larger version on page 8

The union is planning a 2021 calendar using the finalists’ entries

18 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 GOSSIP STATION CAT Barking up the wrong tree – CLAIM see Have I got AND BLAME news for you?

PIFFLE DE /ALAMY MUSIC LEBRECHT October will see 30 of Surrey’s 380 full-time PFEFFEL frontline firefighters You would think a vote to transferred to roles in fire make Britain safer would prevention as part of this have an easy passage through plan. Let your Cat put this in Parliament. Apparently not. some perspective: that’s 8% An amendment to the of Surrey firefighters being Fire Safety Bill designed to removed from the frontline. implement recommenda- The resulting strain on tions made by the first phase SFRS personnel is starting to of the Grenfell Inquiry take its toll. was voted down by 307 FBU brigade secretary Conservative MPs. Graham Whitfield said: “If The clause would have this phase two goes ahead required owners of flats there will be another exodus to share information with in a few months’ time and their local fire service about there’ll be no firefighters left the design and materials of in Surrey. the external walls. It would “They cannot train also have required them to people as quickly as they’re carry our regular inspections leaving.” This year, so far, 40 of lifts and flat entrance firefighters have left SFRS. doors and share evacuation In the interest of balanced and fire safety instructions journalism your Cat wanted with residents. to put across the Surrey MPs are, supposedly, County Council point elected to represent the Having ridden a cannonball was one of the many boasts of view. Unbelievably, a majority of their constituents. of the apparently world-beating but fictional Baron spokesperson for Surrey Munchausen. His present day rivals for far-fetched Surely there cannot be that claims of amazing achievements are actually in charge said recruitment and many private landlords of the UK government – see Safety without numbers retention are among its out there? highest priorities. Your Cat cannot help but Shropshire, local firefighters Trump criticised scientists as Your Cat cannot think, if the Tories had shown slipped and pitched their way “prophets of doom” at the help wondering how the same scant regard for the to a successful rescue. World Economic Forum and Conservatives think safety nation’s health and safety And the headline in the dismissed them as “alarmists” works, but it is certainly during the pandemic, we local rag: ‘Ca-nine’ metre who wanted to “control every not by under-resourcing the would have been in a right de ladder used to rescue dog aspect of our lives”. emergency services, or by Pfeffel by now! Oh, wait … struck up tree by Wem So, if climate change isn’t promising one thing and firefighters’. the cause, what is? delivering another. Or not HAVE I GOT NEWS Your Cat is at her wits’ end! Just as in 2018 and in delivering at all. 2019, Mr Trump’s response Surrey’s Conservatives FOR YOU? CALIFORNIA to the fires was predictable: could learn a few lessons Newspaper editors can, on blame the Democrat-run from their big brothers and occasion, be creative with SCREAMING state and then threaten to sisters at Whitehall. their headlines. They have For the third year in a row punish it by withholding Who can forget Boris to be, catchy headlines California is being money. Simple. Johnson’s “world beating” sell newspapers. ravaged by track and trace app, or Matt The editor of the wildfires. SAFETY WITHOUT Hancock-up’s 100,000 tests? Whitchurch Herald is no And while And what about the critical exception. many blame NUMBERS shortage of PPE for NHS Following a climate Last year Conservative workers at the beginning of recent incident change for controlled Surrey County the pandemic? when a dog, yes the fires, US Council voted to implement In the words of Boris: dog, got stuck up President their Making Surrey “Hands, face”… knees and a tree, yes tree, in Donald Safer plan. bumps a daisy!

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 19 25-YEAR BADGES

Steve Hulme (r), South Wales, receives Dean Loader (r), South Wales, receives David Hepburn (l), Tollcross and Liberton, his 25-year badge from brigade organiser his 25-year badge from brigade organiser Edinburgh, receives his 25-year badge from Dai Evans Dai Evans prevention and protection branch secretary Elliot Whitson

Antony Green (r), RDS, Aberdare, South Wales, receives his 25-year Neil Teasdale (l), red watch, Redditch, Hereford & Worcester, receives badge from David James his 25-year badge from brigade organiser Neil Bevan with colleagues (l-r) Michael Corsi and John Steel

Paul Brown (r), Morecambe, Lancashire, receives his 25-year badge from branch secretary Martin Dave Coates (r), Battersea green watch, Sears with colleagues looking on London, receives his 25-year badge from Croydon borough rep Nigel Cox

Steve Robinson (r), green watch, Eltham, London, receives his 25-year Gordon Mitchell (r), red watch, Blackburn, Lancashire, receives his badge from station commander Daniel Capon with colleagues looking on 25-year badge from branch secretary Mark Hoyle with colleagues (l-r) Mark Laws, Danny King, Neal Douglas, Chris Jowett, Simon Hatt and Beccy Barr

20 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Richard Paice (r), blue watch, Croydon, Lee Byatt (r), blue watch, Croydon, London, Panyiotis Zouganelis (l), green watch, London, receives his 25-year badge from receives his 25-year badge from Croydon Croydon, London, receives his 25-year badge Croydon borough rep Nigel Cox borough rep Nigel Cox from Croydon borough rep Nigel Cox

John Relph (r), green watch, Croydon London, Marty Ward, USAR training manager, Dave Thwaites (r), Maidstone, Kent, receives receives his 25-year badge from Croydon Tyne and Wear, receives his 25-year badge his 25-year badge from health and safety rep borough rep Nigel Cox from brigade organiser Holly Ferguson at Marcus Bell service headquarters

Scott Jones (l), and Alan Furlong (r), Dagenham, London, receive their Richard Jukes (l), white watch, Farnham, Surrey, receives his 25-year 25-year badges from former London regional secretary Joe MacVeigh (25 badge from former brigade secretary Lee Belsten with colleagues (l-r) years after he signed them up to the FBU). Social distancing protocols Kym West, Mark Kelly, Alan Daly and Drew D’Auriel were observed, hence no handshake!

Lee Turner (l), Southall, London, receives Tony Cooper (r), blue watch, Bracknell, Berkshire, receives his 25-year badge from brigade his 25-year badge from London EC member organiser James Hunt with colleagues looking on David Shek

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 | FIREFIGHTER 21 25-YEAR BADGES

Mike Herbert (l), Cardiff Central, receives his 25-year badge from Gareth Llewellyn with blue Nathan Lapwood (l), Exmouth, Devon & watch colleagues looking on Somerset, receives his 25-year badge from branch rep Greg Rowland

Mark Westgarth (r), Tyne and Wear, receives Steve Foster (r), Tyne and Wear, receives his Dave Taylor (l), blue watch, Woodside, his 25-year badge from brigade chair 25-year badge from brigade chair Brian Harris London, receives his 25-year badge from SW Brian Harris London area secretary Dave Young

Lee Bell (c), green watch, Byker Green, Tyne and Wear, receives his Ian McPhail (c), white watch, Christchurch, Dorset and Wiltshire, 25-year badge from brigade organiser Holly Ferguson, with (l-r) Keith receives his 25-year badge from brigade organiser (South) Scott McKay, David Owen, Jack Peacock, Paul Salters, Michael Connolly, Blandford, with (l-r) watch members, Kelvyn Thompson, Dave Smith and Daniel Nessfield and Jonathan Hammond Mark Craft

Paul Blakely, blue watch, Tynemouth, Tyne Mark Phelan, blue watch, Tynemouth, Tyne Ken Wilkinson, blue watch, Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, receives his 25-year badge from and Wear, receives his 25-year badge from and Wear, receives his 25-year badge from brigade organiser Holly Ferguson brigade organiser Holly Ferguson brigade organiser Holly Ferguson

22 FIREFIGHTER | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 FBU REGIONAL OFFICES Region 1 Scotland 52 St Enoch Square, Glasgow, Scotland G1 4AA 0141 221 2309, [email protected] Region 2 N Ireland 14 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, Co Antrim, BT28 1XJ 02892 664622, [email protected] Region 3 Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear 1 Carlton Court, 5th Avenue, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0AZ 0191 487 4142, [email protected] Region 4 Yorks and Humberside 9 Marsh Street, Rothwell, Rob Fouracres, St Austell, Cornwall, Troy Curry (l), Tyne & Wear, receives his 25-year badge from Leeds, LS26 0AG receives his 25-year badge from branch brigade organiser Holly Ferguson with (l-r) Dave Cullen, Kev 0113 288 7000, [email protected] rep Matt Grubb – following social Sirey, Chris McCabe, Jade Markarski, Annabel Crowther Region 5 Greater Manchester, Lancs, distancing guidelines and Lewis Johnson, white watch Farringdon, Sunderland, Isle of Man, Cumbria, Merseyside, looking on and CFO Chris Lowther as photographer Cheshire The Lighthouse, Lower Mersey St, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 2AL 0151 357 4400, [email protected] Region 6 Derbyshire, Notts, Lincs, Leics, Northants 19-21 Musters Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7PP 0115 981 7489, [email protected] Region 7 West Mids, Staffs, Warks, Hereford & Worcester, Shropshire 195/7 Halesowen Rd, Old Hill, West Midlands, B64 6HE 01384 413633, [email protected] Clinton Smith (r), Sidcup, London, receives his 25-year Kev Williams, green watch, South Shields, Region 8 Mid and West Wales, North badge from London regional secretary Jon Lambe with Tyne and Wear, receives his 25-year badge Wales, South Wales members of Sidcup red watch looking on from brigade organiser Holly Ferguson 2nd floor, Hastings House, Fitzalan Court, Cardiff, CF24 0BL 029 2049 6474 Region 9 Herts, Beds, Cambs, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk 28 Atlantic Square, Station Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2TL 01376 521521, [email protected] Region 10 London John Horner Mews, Frome Street, Islington, London, N1 8PB 020 7359 3638, [email protected] Region 11 Bucks, Berks, Hants, Oxon, Isle of Wight, Kent, Surrey, E Sussex, W Sussex Dan Clarke (l), Woodside, Croydon, London, Paul Green (l), and Jimmy O’Neill (r), receive their Unit 11, Hunns Mere Way, receives his 25-year badge from SW area 25-year badges from former London regional secretary Joe Woodingdean, Brighton, BN2 6AH secretary Dave Young MacVeigh, 25 years after he signed them up to the FBU [email protected] Region 12 Cornwall, Devon & Somerset, Avon, Gloucs, Wilts, Dorset 158 Muller Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 9RE 0117 935 5132, [email protected] Change of address or next of kin Advise your brigade organiser of any change of address and head office of changes to next of kin or nominations for benefits. FBU FREEPHONE Jon Dutton (c), blue watch, Hebburn Fire Station, Tyne & Simon Wood (r), Princes Street, Ipswich, LEGAL ADVICE LINE Wear, receives his 25-year badge from brigade organiser Suffolk, receives his 25-year badge from branch Holly Ferguson, with (l-r) Davy Bell and Paul Grieve rep Stephen Hayward 0808 100 6061 England, Wales and N Ireland looking on 0800 089 1331 Please send high resolution digital files or prints to:[email protected] Scotland The line provides advice for personal or Firefighter, FBU, 68 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7AE injury, family law, wills, conveyancing, For your image to look its best, we need the original, full-resolution image. One lifted from a website personal finance and consumer issues. may not do justice to a unique occasion. We do our best with images that are low resolution, For disciplinary and employment- taken directly into a bright light or suffer from camera-shake, or have other problems, but cannot related queries contact your local FBU perform miracles. Please include details for each image – full names of everyone who is in it; their representative. station/brigade/watch etc; where they are in the picture (eg: left to right); their union posts/branch if relevant; and where/when it was taken. USE VOUCHER CODE FBUFIT AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR SPORTSWEAR RANGE PURCHASE

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