Kirsty Williams AM

Libs Dems call to save retained Fire-fighters

In an Assembly debate the Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that lives could be lost if retained fire-fighters are not allowed to opt-out of European Union regulations on working times. During the debate, the Welsh Lib Dems highlighted concerns that stations in Wales, crewed by retained fire-fighters, could be under threat and vital emergency fire cover could be compromised.

After the European Parliament, which included Labour MEP Eluned Morgan and Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans, voted against UK exemption from the directive limiting weekly working time to 48hrs, 1,836 retained fire-fighters could be forced to resign because fire-fighting work combined with their full-time jobs would exceed permitted working hours, putting the lives of many across Wales at risk.

From poor ambulance service response times, police authorities threatening to cut back services they provide to a possible massive loss of retained fire-fighters, Powys AMs Kirsty Williams and Mick Bates are angry that this decline in the standard of our emergency services has been happening under the watch of the Labour-Plaid government.

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon & Radnorshire said:

"Retained fire-fighters play an absolutely vital role in protecting the public in many parts across Wales. Across Brecon and Radnorshire we have an outstanding force of retained fire-fighters, who given the rural nature of the land, provide cover to the area in a way that full-time fire-fighters could not.

"Indeed in gratitude to the exceptional, long and hard service Crickhowell retained fire-fighter Ian Jones has given to the community I have nominated him to attend the royal Garden party this summer. His hard work like that of so many other retained fire-fighters deserves greater recognition and it was an honour to put his name forward.

"Employing the equivalent numbers of full-time fire-fighters to retained fire-fighters would be very costly and during a period when budgets are tight and are getting even tighter, this opt-out is vital to keep the Welsh public safe and protected.

"The Labour-Plaid government's record of providing emergency services to the people of Wales is poor. From shocking ambulance waiting times to the Chief Constable of South Wales Police threatening to cut vital services due to unreasonable government budget restraints, it seems that even from Europe, Labour and Plaid are letting our emergency services down.

"We will fight, along with our colleagues in England and Scotland, to ensure that the right for retained fire fighters across Wales to opt-out from the European Working Time Directive is ensured so that the people of Wales are provided with safe and effective fire coverage."

Mick Bates AM for Montgomeryshire said: "I commend the extremely valuable work of retained fire fighters across Wales. The Welsh Liberal Democrats take any threat to the retained firefighter system very seriously. It is one of the most important services that any community can call on.

"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."

Kirsty and Mick are urging as many people as possible to sign up to the 'Save our retained Fire Service' petition launched today by Roger Williams MP. He hopes to enlist the help and support of Powys County Councillors and local town and community councils for the campaign

Notes:

The wording of the Liberal Democrat debate reads as follows:

Item 7: Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate (60 mins)

NDM4151 Peter Black (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

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

2. Notes with concern the effect that the removal will have on retained Firefighters across Wales and the consequences the removal may have on public health and safety;

3. Notes that a considerable proportion of Firefighters are retained and the valuable service volunteer Firefighters provide;

4. Notes that the Retained Firefighters 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; and

5. Notes the potentially fatal consequences for Welsh communities.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

"Notes with concern that the removal of the opt out will increase costs for fire stations which have Firefighters working the Retained Duty System."