THE Fire Brigades Union in Lancashire is facing one of its greatest challenges since the national Fire Service strike of 1977.

This growing militancy is derived from the county council's intention to reduce the earnings of retained firefighters - who work within their communities providing 24-hour fire cover every day of the year for a small fee.

As a result of this proposal, retained firefighters throughout Lancashire are calling on the FBU to approve a strike ballot for its members.

As part of the annual county council budget proposals, the option exists to roster retained firefighters throughout the year (they are already subject to rostering on public holidays as a result of a budget proposal for savings being adopted in 1994/95). The FBU has given brigade management reasons why such a proposal would be unmanageable.

The intention to reduce such payments is a severe blow to these community-spirited individuals. Lancashire County Fire Brigade already has difficulty in recruiting retained firefighters. By further reducing the small payments they receive, the difficult situation will be further exacerbated.

The problem faced is twofold:

The budget reductions forced on the county council by central government's capping limits do not reflect the increased demands on the provision of fire cover within Lancashire, including the duty to protect, train and equip firefighters. But also if such an option to reduce payments to retained firefighters is passed over, the county council is faced with considering reductions elsewhere within the Lancashire Fire Brigade budget.

The options cited include: removing the retained fire appliance (and the retained firefighters) at Accrington, Lancaster, Padiham, Barnoldswick, Colne or Carnforth.

If none of these options is acceptable, the county council identifies its ability to remove full-time fire appliances and firefighters.

Neither of these proposals is acceptable, the FBU would argue. Recent deaths of both householders and firefighters clearly identify the need for vigilance and for an end to such political manoeuvring.

Provision of fire cover and the training, equipping and protecting of firefighters should not be hostage to the inability of county council's to efficiently balance its budget due to underfunding by central government.

The Fire Service belongs to the public of Lancashire. I would urge everyone who cares to write to their councillor and express their dissatisfaction and concern.

Demand that your MP acts in your interest. But please do something.

TONY HARRIS, Fire Brigade Union, No 5 Region, Lancashire.

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