Email Enquiry

UK Fire Service Industrial Action 2004

Initial Email Enquiry –

I have just had a meeting with the MoD person planning for the response during any potential industrial action. Our discussion concentrated on what support we will be providing to the control rooms should they have a chemical incident. I did however take the opportunity to discuss this issue with him and pass on your email and they will probably contact within the next couple of weeks to discuss this with you. Hopefully we can get this a little bit better co-ordinated than last time but I wouldn't hold my breath as they are up to their eyeballs in it at the moment as government (ODPM) has left it until the last minute to authorize them to go ahead with training which is going to start next week at FSC.

1^st Response –

Fire & Rescue Directorate
Office of Deputy Prime Minister,
17/APortland Place,
London SW1E 5LP

I am responding as BP Group Fire Adviser to your consultation circular which only reached me today at 1730hrs.

On behalf of the BP Group of companies the outline in the circular, which seems to propose that the military would have the (full ?) range of access to the local authority fire appliances and supporting specialist vehicles such as TTL's HP's, hazardous materials, foam and water carriers is to be welcomed.

A major failing in previous strikes has been that none of the large scale foam and specialist support units held by UK fire authorities was made available in the event of a serious fire within industry and commerce.

You should also be aware that many mutual aid agreements, such as those with the BAA fire departments, for the deployment of large foam and major fire fighting appliances have to be suspended throughout the strike period, thus further seriously diluting available resources to refineries, terminals and petrochemical facilities.

I note that yet again one of the largest risk stakeholders affected by any fire service industrial action is not directly communicated with, namely the major petroleum and chemical industries association of fire chiefs, The Joint Oil & Industry Fire Forum (JOIFF)

I have copied this e-mail to the JOIFF secretary and I would ask yet again if you could ensure that very important messages such as this circular are sent directly the secretary for distribution to members.

Your department's formal reply to my response is requested.

Download / view ODP Consultation Document (PDF doc).

End of email correspondence on Topic to date.

Author’s identities are concealed for privacy and security reasons. Further information on the information contained in this topic can be directed to the JOIFF secretariaty.