Fire service to recruit emergency team ahead of proposed industrial action

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is to recruit an emergency fire team in case fire-fighters join national industrial action next month.

A day of action planned across the country for 30 November could result in the Service being left without any staff.

The Service still has a legal requirement to provide emergency cover, even during industrial action and can no longer use the armed forces like it has done previously.

So this week, it is to start recruiting an emergency fire team.

Jim Owen, Deputy County Fire Officer at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Not only does the Fire Authority have a legal duty to prepare for a strike, it's exactly what local people would want us to do.

"We need to have a plan to keep people safe if crew support the national day of action on November 30 and beyond."

Although no ballot is currently being held by the FBU, many unions have agreed to support a national day of action, including the FBU. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service says it is preparing for the worst case scenario, and preparations have to take place now to ensure sufficient fire cover would be available.

Those recruited would work during any period of industrial action to provide fire and rescue cover for the communities of Greater Manchester.

The Fire and Rescue Authority will discuss the plans at its meeting this Thursday (20 October).