Fire bosses put ‘worst scenario’ plans in place

FIRE service bosses in Greater Manchester are putting together a ‘worst case scenario’ plan amid the coronavirus pandemic – including operating with just 20 engines on the road.

They have asked union leaders to lift an overtime ban for crews as the spread of COVID-19 worsens.

A senior Fire Brigades Union (FBU) official strongly denied claims the union had twice refused to agree to the request in recent weeks.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) could operate with 20 engines on the road - out of its fleet of 50 - if COVID-19 impacts on staffing levels among firefighters.

The brigade has already stopped school visits and educational talks - and fire safety checks, with advice being given over the phone in most cases.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx said: “This is an unprecedented time and the situation is changing on a daily basis. We are putting measures in place that will allow us to continue to provide a professional fire and rescue service to the people of Greater Manchester, but it is only prudent to plan for the worst case scenario. That planning is based upon our existing contingency plans. These plan for a situation where we might have a limited number of staff available and looks at how we would effectively deploy them to ensure that we would have at least 20 fire engines available. We have asked the Fire Brigades Union if they would recommence the provision of overtime and we are continuing to have conversations with them around this.”

Steve Wiswell, FBU brigade secretary for Greater Manchester, said it was ‘not true’ officials had twice refused to consider lifting the ban.

He said: “The fire service already has protocol in place - the recall to duty - if we have a major incident or crisis, which of course this is.

“We are looking at overtime. To say we have refused twice to allow it is disingenuous. We have not said ‘no’ to overtime. So far, the fire service locally has not been affected by coronavirus.”

According to FBU rules, overtime cannot be used to make up a shortfall in the number of firefighters on shift. Crew members currently work a maximum of 24 hours over eight weeks - they had been working up to 48 hours. Another three fire engines could be axed this year unless money can be saved elsewhere. Bosses must save £12.8m over three years.