Firefighters deserve better
HAVING read the reports on the dispute in the County Fire Service, one has to ask why, out of the 57 brigades in the UK, Greater Manchester is the only one to suspend firefighters and now face serious industrial action.
While it is widely recognised that the Fire Brigade's Union have a reputation for militancy, most of its members are reasonable people who do not readily seek confrontation. However, having read the reports and seen the Chief Officer on television several times, talking about the issues, I am not surprised that we have confrontation, as his attitude has been far from conciliatory or constructive.
He said that he is only concerned about protecting the public and maintaining adequate fire cover, and yet he has suspended more than 100 firelighters and shut entire fire stations, so how can he honestly say that cover has not been affected?
If suspensions continue at the current rate, in three weeks time we will have no firefighters on duty at all.
Clearly something is fundamentally wrong, and it is interesting to see that none of the Fire Authority politicians have come forward to support the Chief Officer.
It very much looks as though there is a definite need for an independent enquiry in Manchester and a clear out at the top with new untarnished officials, who can take this once proud service forward again.
Firefighters deserve better!
David Price
Manchester Road
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