Agenda item

Prior to consideration of the item, the Chair informed the Authority that questions have been submitted by the Fire Brigades Union regarding this and the next item (realignment of operational resources). Although the questions have been submitted after the deadline, in the interests of openness and transparency, on this occasion only, they have been accepted and may be asked.

In summary, the FBU opposes the increase of attendance time which will be caused by  mixed crewing, and seeks assurance from the Authority that safety will not be compromised by the proposals.

The Chair responded that the report recommends that proposals are the subject of public consultation, but that the landscape of operation has changed in recent years with the number of incidents halving. With a duty to provide the best service within financial constraints, mixed crewing would provide an opportunity to align the availability of resources with demand, in preference to reducing the number of appliances and staff.

The Chief Fire Officer presented the report, adding that there were significant financial pressures which must be responded to, ensuring a balanced budget is achieved at a time when funding is reduced, and so five potential options are proposed in the appendix to the report.

Citizens are safer now from fire than they have ever been, so reducing whole time capacity overnight by moving to mixed and alternative models to provide a valuable saving and more efficient working. Consideration also needs to be given to increased retirement age of firefighters with alternatives suggested to the current 12-hour shift pattern.

A 12 week consultation period is recommended, which will enable staff and citizens to respond. There is an intention to visit staff at stations and actively seek responses so that members can have a complete view prior to further considerations.

Alternative crewing is complex. Currently, if less than 4 retained crew members are available, the appliance is not used and another station is called upon. This is often the case at Southwell Fire Station where it has been difficult to recruit due to the local demographics. When fewer than 4 crew members are available, the call is transferred to Carlton or Newark. However, it is proposed that if 3 crew members are available, then the appliance is utilised as that appliance and crew can have a significantly positive impact at an incident. All crew are fully trained but additional training will be provided if required and crews of 3 will still not be sent to incidents where there is a risk of expansion but if assistance is needed for other incidents, back-up will still be available.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny requested an amendment to the recommendation, to remove Ashfield Fire Station from the consultation and therefore any potential changes to crewing, but as it was not seconded, it was not carried and the original recommendation remained.

Further comments from Authority members included:

(a)  Although there is little doubt that there will be a robust response to the consultation, Central Government should be lobbied by all members regarding the on-going reduction of funding and pressures on the Service;

(b)  Citizens need to understand the current position and the impact of reduced funding going forwards and be motivated to respond to the consultation;

(c)  The proposal to consult is supported, but not the subject proposals and diminishing Service;

(d)  There needs to be a clear pathway laid out, ensuring that the press and public are fully engaged and understand the implications on the Service and their Council Tax of the on-going funding cuts;

(e)  If the Fire Minister is lobbied and citizens informed and engaged, it is possible that changes to crewing may be avoided;

(f)  This is an outstanding Service with staff, both front line and back office, doing a valuable job. The Staff and Authority need to stand as one team and the suggestion to lobby the Fire Minister is welcomed as influence within Central Government can make a difference ;

(g)  We all need to do everything possible to ensure that this is full and meaningful consultation as the final recommendations are not pre-determined;

(h)  Councillors and Officers across the country are being forced to make these type of decisions due to the on-going funding restraints. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have already implemented all possible savings whilst trying to protect front line Services. There really is nowhere else to find savings other than changing how the Service operates;

(i)  The Authority and Fire Brigades Union (FBU) need to stand shoulder to shoulder regarding the austerity cuts and the terrible impact so far;

The Chief Fire Officer welcomed opportunities to speak with Officers, the FBU and Citizens on the current position and consultation. It is vital that citizens understand the full implications of the current position and exercise their right to give an opinion.

The Chair thanked members for their comments and assured the Authority that the subject of the report has been carefully considered over a period of time but no alternatives identified. Following several large incidents, citizens need to understand the significance of the Service and the implications of the proposals.

RESOLVED to publicly consult on the Mixed and Alternative Crewing options as detailed in the body of the report.

It is noted that Councillor Jason Zadrozny did not support the recommendation.