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BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Safety fears raised over Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire cuts
Proposed cuts of up to £1.6m to a fire and rescue service would "undermine safety" for both firefighters and the public, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) has proposed savings measures including reducing the number of fire engines and closing stations on the Isle of FBU has launched an online petition opposing the changes, with southern regional chairman Dave Hunt calling on the fire authority to "stop these cuts immediately".The service said it was facing "financial challenges" but would still respond to emergencies "as quickly and as effectively as we can". As part of the savings, less frequently used fire engines at four on-call stations - Romsey Waterlooville, Petersfield and Lymington - would be a new specialist rescue vehicle and fire vehicle would lead to a reduction of 20 staff at Cosham and Redbridge stations, although there will be no redundancies, HIWFRS month it unveiled plans to combine Yarmouth and Freshwater fire stations, which would mean two fire engines could operate in the west of the Isle of are also proposals to stop operational responses from Bembridge fire Isle of Wight plans are open to public consultation until the end of Cole, assistant chief fire officer, said in developing its savings proposals, the service had "carefully reviewed our community risk levels against our resources".He said: "The costs of delivering our services have outpaced the funding we receive. "Without an increase in government funding, fire and rescue services have no choice but to find ways to make savings, but we will always seek to do that in a way that ensures we can continue to reduce risk and respond to emergencies as quickly and as effectively as we can." 'Increase response times' The National Fire Chiefs Council recently criticised "prolonged disinvestment in fire and rescue services over many years".Many fire services also faced a shortfall in funding after the government failed to give them the same level of compensation for tax increases as the police, BBC research a meeting of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority, Mr Hunt said the service was already "losing resilience"."If implemented, these cuts will increase response times," he said."Ultimately we're undermining both public and firefighter safety - as firefighters, we need to know we have the right number of people when we turn up."He called for a "full and detailed review" of HIWFRS' current work and roles and said the service should "put safety first and stop these cuts".The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said fire and rescue Authorities have received almost £3bn in the last financial year."We understand the challenges that fire services are facing, and despite the inheritance this government has been left with, we are determined to deliver better public services through our Plan for Change," it added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Essex fire service spent £781k covering staff shortages in 2024
Covering staffing shortages cost a fire service £781,000 in 2024, the BBC can County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) moved firefighters from their usual stations to elsewhere in the county 3,876 staffing crisis was "exhausting" crews and left the service "on the brink", the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) McLellan, ECFRS' head of response, said shipping staff across the county meant the public were best protected. The fire service spent £781,755 on moving appliances in 2024, a sharp rise from £350,011 in obtained by the BBC, via a Freedom of Information request, revealed back-up cover for major stations was being called for 11 times a day on Mr McLellan insisted the numbers had risen because ECFRS changed the way it recorded movements. Crews have been asked to travel across Essex to cover their colleagues, making journeys such as Coggeshall to Dovercourt and Waltham Abbey to firefighters were paid for each call-out, with the service spending £75,000 in were 417 movements in July, 384 in October and 372 in August. 'Shocking figures' Richard Maddams, the FBU secretary for Essex, said: "ECFRS is continuing attempts to paper over the cracks of a service on the brink."Instead of addressing this crisis in understaffing, firefighters are being forced to travel large distances to cover areas that simply don't have enough crews. "This is exhausting a workforce that is already overworked and underpaid, fuelling issues with recruitment and retention."He said despite assurances from management, the "shocking figures" showed the problem was its most recent inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, ECFRS was told it must do more to improve the availability of its the year 2019-2020, there was an average of 10 crews a month unavailable - but by 2022-2023 it had almost doubled to 19. Mr McLellan said the service was in the middle of a major recruitment drive and he would "make no apologies" for moving staff in the interim."We will continue to make movements to best protect the county," he said. "The days of one crew staying in the same area are over."Many small businesses could no longer afford to release employees during the day so they could work for fire services, Mr McLellan said the £781,755 would be spent on wages once ECFRS finished recruiting across its 50 if he agreed crews were exhausted, Mr McLellan said: "I'm not getting that feedback, no more than I did last year."He said no-one was forced to work outside their working hours and all firefighters were given adequate breaks.A new system was allowing people to sign up for more overtime, rather than leave it to those who did not want to, Mr McLellan added."We do have people who want to do more hours, but we also have those who find it a challenge," he said. "At the moment we don't have the ability to identify those people ahead of time." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Trade unions join forces to demand end to ban on 'sympathy strikes'
Secondary industrial action - where a trade union asks its members to take action against their employer in solidarity with workers elsewhere who are in dispute - has been banned since the early 1990s Trade unions have joined together to call for laws banning 'sympathy strikes' to be scrapped. Secondary industrial action - where a trade union asks its members to take action against their employer in solidarity with workers elsewhere who are in dispute - has been banned since the early 1990s. Now the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the British Medical Association (BMA) and other unions have signed a joint statement in support of a proposed change to the Employment Rights Bill, currently going through the House of Lords. The statement reads: "For too long, the current legal restrictions have served to isolate disputes, weaken solidarity and limit workers' ability to collectively challenge unfair conditions - particularly in an increasingly fragmented and outsourced employment landscape.' Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said: 'It's time for the government to finally overturn anti-worker laws brought in by the Conservatives to attack pay and conditions. 'The ban on workers supporting strikes across sectors is a Tory relic from the nineties. 'The aim has always been to isolate and limit workers' ability to stand up against employers threatening pay cuts and worsening conditions. 'These undemocratic restrictions are part of the UK being one of the worst countries for workers' rights in Europe. We urge all members of the House of Lords to support this amendment and restore this basic democratic right.'
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Fundraiser for families of Bicester firefighters who were killed in aerodrome inferno reaches £7k
Thousands of pounds have been raised for the family of two firefighters killed in an aerodrome inferno. Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire on Thursday evening. The tragedy also claimed the life of 57-year-old father-of-two, David Chester, who worked at the site. Tributes have since poured in for the trio with acts of remembrance up and down the country being combined with heartfelt messages. It comes as the father of Ms Logan previously thanked wellwishers for their kind words about his 'real life super hero' daughter. Both firefighters worked at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) and Mr Sadler was also part of the London Fire Brigade. Two further OFRS firefighters suffered serious injuries and are still in hospital on Saturday, Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright said. Fresh pictures have now been released by Bicester Rugby Union Football Club showing Ms Logan and Mr Sadler in action and posing in team photographs. The duo had both been members of BRUFC for many years and the club has organised a fundraiser for The Fire Fighters Charity and the families of the victims. The fundraiser has already raised £6,775 and increased its initial £1k target to £10k. Mr Sadler, who had been involved with the club for more than 20 years and had played senior men's rugby for over 10 years, would always bring 'his infectious smile and energy to every game', the rugby club said. 'A true clubman and rugby man, he was always willing to pull on an opposition shirt if they were short of numbers,' a statement continued. 'He just loved the game. 'After hanging up his playing boots, he started supporting the Bicester Vixens (ladies' team) as first aider.' Ms Logan joined Bicester Vixens in November 2021, and the club said 'from her first session her determination to push herself shone'. 'She was a dedicated and driven number eight, committed to being the best player she could be for the team,' it continued. 'Jennie was so much more than her performance. 'She was a kind, gentle and thoughtful force to be reckoned with, who knew what the women's game deserved.' Sherine Wheeler, chief executive of Fire Fighters Charity, said: 'Everyone at Fire Fighters Charity is heartbroken to learn of the deaths of two firefighters and a member of the public in the incident in Bicester. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues, and to all those affected - particularly the firefighters who were injured and remain in hospital, and their loved ones. 'People who work in the fire service and their families face distinct demands on their health and wellbeing and sometimes, as we have seen in the tragic events of 15 May, they sacrifice everything to keep their communities safe. 'This is a terrible reminder of the courage and selflessness that firefighters show every day in the line of duty. 'We stand in solidarity with our fire family at this very challenging time. 'We are here for our colleagues in Oxfordshire and across the fire and rescue community and stand ready to offer our care and support in any way we can, now and in the weeks ahead.' A total of ten fire crews attended the scene on Thursday night, along with police and ambulance services. The site is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering. Smoke could be witnessed billowing from the fire across the town and as far as north Oxford - with residents reporting sounds of explosions, burning smells and ash raining down on them. A gold plaque has been installed at the entrance to the site and members of the public have been leaving flowers and tributes at the scene. A close friend of Ms Logan - who qualified as a firefighter in 2023 - posted: 'I hoped it wasn't true, I begged it wasn't. I can dry my tears and remember you but I can never get you back. 'You were my rock and I didn't even realise how much until you were gone. 'Who will I call names and laugh at for being silly? Who will laugh at me and say it right back? 'I've never met anyone like you Jen, it's not fair. Life is cruel but now everyone can be proud of the hero that I saw, that I heard, that I hugged.' Firefighter Jenny Logan pictured with her father Ian Logan Ms Logan qualified as a firefighter in 2023 after owning a canine business Tributes have poured in for Mr Sadler and Ms Logan after they were named last night Paying tribute to Mr Sadler, his cousin David wrote: 'Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming number of messages following the devastating loss of my cousin, colleague, role model and hero Martyn Sadler at the fire in Bicester last night.' A friend added: 'Totally gutted and speechless, with the loss of a good friend and colleague who I had the pleasure and privilege to work with for RBFRS and LFB. 'RIP Martyn Sadler always smiling.' Bicester Motion said it considered Mr Chester 'part of the fabric of our estate and a friend to us all'. He had set up a family-run fencing and groundworks company, Chester and Sons, more than a decade ago. The 57-year-old carried out work for English Heritage and Mr Chester had more than 40 years' experience in the industry, according to the company website. Bicester Motion said: 'Whenever you had a question, you would 'just ask Dave', not just him but his whole family as they all cared about this place just as much as we do. 'Our whole community used to say that 'Dave always had our back.' Yesterday, he was doing just that - the epitome of his selfless spirit.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
18-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Award-winning Arts Boost returns to support young people's mental health
SENEDD Members called for annual health checks for firefighters in Wales, with a study showing instances of cancer are up to 323% higher than the general population. Luke Fletcher, who has been campaigning on the issue over the past two years, led a debate in the Senedd on a cross-party motion calling for urgent action. 'The dangers our firefighters face do not end once the flames are out,' said Mr Fletcher. 'Fire creates a cocktail of toxic chemicals that are known to increase the risk of cancers and other life-threatening illnesses.' The Plaid Cymru politician pointed to research commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union, showing firefighters aged 35 to 39 faced an age-specific cancer rate up to 323% higher. Plaid Cymru MS Luke Fletcher Mr Fletcher added: 'Firefighters serving 15 years or more were almost twice as likely to develop cancer than those who served less time.' Calling for urgent reform to safeguard firefighters' health, he said: 'Across the world, countries like the US, Canada and Australia have recognised the link between exposure to toxic effluents and the increased incidence of cancer among firefighters. 'Legislation in these countries ensures firefighters not only receive workplace compensation when illness strikes but also have access to routine medical monitoring, designed to catch illnesses early. Yet here in Wales, as across the UK, little such support exists.' Mr Fletcher criticised Welsh ministers for not committing to a specific health monitoring programme: 'Every delay now carries consequences and we just need to get on with it. 'Further delays simply translate into more deaths due to cancer. The evidence is there, the stories are there – and the risk is very real.' He concluded: 'Quite simply, it is the right thing to do, to do right by our fire service people and the families who have lost loved ones because of this occupational risk.' Altaf Hussain, a surgeon-turned-Senedd Member, said: 'Firefighters regularly put their health on the line to deal with threats to ours and we regularly let them down.' The Conservative added: 'We, at the very least, owe this service a commitment to do everything to minimise and mitigate the risk of the job. Conservative MS Altaf Hussain 'That includes ensuring they are protected from toxins as well as monitored for exposure. This is not an issue that should be left to individual fire and rescue authorities.' Rhys ab Owen, who sits as an independent, said: 'The issues raised in this report cannot be kicked down the road for the next government to resolve. The risk, the danger and the responsibility sit firmly at the government's door – and action must be taken.' Responding to the May 14 debate for the Welsh Government, Jayne Bryant said ministers support the Fire Brigades Union campaign to reduce the risk of cancers firefighters face. The housing and local government secretary told the Senedd all three fire and rescue services in Wales provide regular fitness and medical checks. But Ms Bryant, whose responsibilities include fire services, stated the UK National Screening Committee does not recommend targeted screening programmes based on occupation. She said Isabel Oliver, who was appointed the chief medical officer for Wales In January, will work with experts and relevant UK bodies to consider the evidence Housing and local government secretary Jayne Bryant 'I'd like to reassure the Senedd that we remain fully committed to addressing these risks as effectively as possible,' she said. 'We will continue to work in social partnership with employers and unions to do so.' Senedd Members voted 30-0 in favour of the motion, with 14 Labour members and the Conservatives' Tom Giffard abstaining.
