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EU threat to retained fire crews EU threat to retained fire crews
(about 4 hours later)
England's fire services will lose thousands of part-time firefighters if the opt-out of a working-time directive is ended, a union has warned.England's fire services will lose thousands of part-time firefighters if the opt-out of a working-time directive is ended, a union has warned.
European rules prevent people from working more than 48 hours a week and could hit retained firefighters who often also have another job.European rules prevent people from working more than 48 hours a week and could hit retained firefighters who often also have another job.
The Retained Firefighters Union (RFU) believes it threatens the retained service and could jeopardise safety.The Retained Firefighters Union (RFU) believes it threatens the retained service and could jeopardise safety.
The government said it was still hoping to secure some form of opt-out.The government said it was still hoping to secure some form of opt-out.
Fire services across the country rely heavily on retained firefighters.Fire services across the country rely heavily on retained firefighters.
Percentage of retained firefighters in regions South West 57%Eastern 48%South East 45%%North East 21%North West 21%Yorks and Humber 23%East Midlands 50%West Midlands 29% PERCENTAGES OF RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS BY REGION South West 57%Eastern 48%South East 45%%North East 21%North West 21%Yorks and Humber 23%East Midlands 50%West Midlands 29%
In England there are about 28,000 retained firefighters, out of 74,000 fire men and woman in the service.In England there are about 28,000 retained firefighters, out of 74,000 fire men and woman in the service.
In some rural areas such as Suffolk and Lincolnshire more than 70% of the county fire service is made up of retained crews.In some rural areas such as Suffolk and Lincolnshire more than 70% of the county fire service is made up of retained crews.
Ken Weston, based at the Wymondham Fire Station in Norfolk - which is manned entirely by retained fire fighters - said he was concerned that he might have to give up firefighting if the directive came in.Ken Weston, based at the Wymondham Fire Station in Norfolk - which is manned entirely by retained fire fighters - said he was concerned that he might have to give up firefighting if the directive came in.
At night he is a nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and during the day he is on call at Wymondham.At night he is a nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and during the day he is on call at Wymondham.
Graham Stagg, Cambridgeshire's chief fire officer, said he felt the directive could have a damaging effect on the service.Graham Stagg, Cambridgeshire's chief fire officer, said he felt the directive could have a damaging effect on the service.
'Significant cost''Significant cost'
About 58% of firefighters in the county are retained staff.About 58% of firefighters in the county are retained staff.
"If that opt-out is removed that is going to require us as Cambridgeshire Fire Service to an absolutely fundamental review of how we supply cover in Cambridgeshire," he said."If that opt-out is removed that is going to require us as Cambridgeshire Fire Service to an absolutely fundamental review of how we supply cover in Cambridgeshire," he said.
"That would undoubtedly come with significant additional cost.""That would undoubtedly come with significant additional cost."
John Barton, the RFU's National General Secretary, said if the directive came into force in England it would have a devastating effect on the retained fire service and the fire service as a whole.John Barton, the RFU's National General Secretary, said if the directive came into force in England it would have a devastating effect on the retained fire service and the fire service as a whole.
"The fire service would have to be reinvented," he said."The fire service would have to be reinvented," he said.
However, the loss of the opt-out has been backed by Labour MEP Glyn Ford.However, the loss of the opt-out has been backed by Labour MEP Glyn Ford.
"All the evidence is that workers who work long hours endanger themselves and their workmates," he said."All the evidence is that workers who work long hours endanger themselves and their workmates," he said.
The plan to scrap the opt-out, which was backed by the European Parliament, is now being considered by the European Commission - which will discuss the issue with member countries.The plan to scrap the opt-out, which was backed by the European Parliament, is now being considered by the European Commission - which will discuss the issue with member countries.
• A report on the issue of retained firefighters will be on the Politics Show in the East of England at 1200 GMT on Sunday.