General Discussion

Fire Brigades Union members have voted in favour of a national strike, in a dispute with the Government over pension reforms.

The next period of Industrial Action will be from 6pm on 31 October until 6pm on 4 November 2014. 

Whilst the issue is a matter between the Fire Brigades Union and Government, every Fire & Rescue Service has a legal duty to maintain a level of service to local communities as best it can.

We will continue to respond to 999 calls and will do everything we can to keep the public safe, including during any national fire strike. 

You can help us by taking extra care and time to think about fire safety in your home during this period - checking smoke alarms, ensuring you know what you would do if there was a fire and not making unnecessary calls to the fire and rescue service.

Businesses are also reminded to be mindful of their responsibilities, as during periods of industrial action the Service may not be able to respond to fire safety enquiries within its usual timescales. It remains the responsibility of employers, landlords and other premises occupiers to comply with fire safety law. 

We would like to remind businesses that your emergency escape plan should not rely on Fire and Rescue Service involvement for it to be effective. Any and all actions that are required to keep people safe in the premises, to move them to places of relative safety or to complete a full evacuation must be within your resources.