West Midlands firefighters to volunteer more hours after government cuts

West Midlands Fire Authority and the Fire Brigade Union have agreed to allow 'willing' firefighters to volunteer and take on extra paid shifts outside normal working hours.

It will help 'keep fire engines running and stations open', West Midlands Fire Authority chairman John Edwards said.

He described government cuts as appalling, and estimated between 2011 and 2020 West Midlands Fire Service will lose 46 per cent of government funding, equal to £38 million.

The extended shifts will be optional for firefighters to take but not be forced upon them.

The move has been announced after a trade dispute took place between the union and fire authority over cuts to West Midlands Fire Service.

Firefighters were recently balloted over the additional shifts, which will see them be paid a flat time rate plus an extra 25 per cent for causing disturbances, and they agreed upon them.

West Midlands Fire Authority chairman John Edwards said: "Fire deaths rose by 21 per cent nationally last year, coinciding with the longest response times in 20 years and five years of unprecedented cuts to fire services.

"The cuts are absolutely appalling. There is clearly a connection between the speed of response times and the damage caused by fires.

"The additional shifts agreed upon will help West Midlands Fire Service to respond to category one incidents with an attendance time of four minutes, 38 seconds, which given the circumstances, is staggering and unique in England. We have the quickest response times in the country.

"The extra shifts will allow us to keep fire engines running and 38 stations in the region open.

"But they are for firefighters who want to volunteer for them and are willing, they won't be forced upon them."

Mr Edwards added the fire service is still in the middle of a crisis and there will be further cuts to deal with.

"Firefighters who are due to retire won't be replaced, but these additional shifts will help combat that," he said.

The Fire Brigade Union put a ban on over-time whilst negotiations took place over extra shifts, but that has now been lifted after a deal was agreed.

West Midlands Fire Brigade Union chairman Andrew Scattergood said: "We entered into a dispute with the fire authority which resulted in an offer to our members which was then accepted.

"Firefighters will be working extra hours if they volunteer and wish to do so and the Fire Brigade Union membership have agreed a rate of pay to work extra hours.

"We will be monitoring it closely to make sure it is working in the best interests of members and the public."