Kirsty calls to keep the opt-out to keep the public safe (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
English

Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Kirsty calls to keep the opt-out to keep the public safe

February 20, 2009 12:00 AM

Kirsty with fire-fighters and cllr Jeff Holmes in Crickhowell

Kirsty Williams AM for Brecon and Radnorshire has signed up to an Assembly statement of opinion calling to keep the right for key retained fire-fighters all across UK to opt out of the Working Time Directive - which threatens to limit their total weekly working time to 48 hours, including time spent on call.

Retained Fire-fighters often have full-time jobs outside the fire service. As a second job, they spend up to 120 hours per week "on-call" - in their own homes or at their regular work places, but they are there if needed in emergencies.

Kirsty said: "The Fire and Rescue Service is vital to the safety of communities throughout Powys and across Wales as a whole. Retained fire fighters are a key component of the service, especially in rural areas and must be safeguarded from any adverse implications that the Working Time Directive may have.

"In areas such as Powys the work of retained fire-fighters allows emergency cover to extend far beyond the level which would otherwise be possible. Full-time fire-fighters simply could not be employed across our area with anything like the same coverage - the consequences would be slower response times and the potential loss of lives.

"The suggested complications arising from the Working Time Directive must surely have been unintended and the European Parliament should dispose of them as soon as possible.

"By signing Eleanor's Statement of Opinion I hope to raise awareness of this issue and make sure that we do not place the public at risk. These volunteer fire fighters provide an invaluable and life-saving service and it is essential for the safety of all in Wales that they are not lost."

Notes:

Kirsty is also encouraging everyone to sign the Scottish Liberal Democrats' UK-wide petition at : www.keeptheoptout.com
The Statement of Opinion reads:-

This Assembly:

Regrets the vote by the European Parliament to remove Britain's working time directive opt-out

Notes with concern the removal will have on retained Fire-fighters across Wales and the consequences the removal may have on public health and safety

Notes that a considerable proportion of Fire-fighters are retained and the valuable service volunteer Fire-fighters provide

Notes that the Retained Fire-fighters Union opposes this removal and that if the opt-out is removed and RDS fire stations become unviable under the directive, 91% of the UK will lose valuable emergency fire cover

Notes the potentially fatal consequences for Welsh communities.