Firefighters tell civic chiefs of wellbeing impact of shift pattern changes

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Firefighters who are calling for the planned change of shift patterns to be dropped have met with Gloucestershire councillors to express how the changes will impact their wellbeing.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned that changing day shifts to 8am to 7pm instead of 9am to 6pm for full time firefighters risks forcing many firefighters out of the service.

In letters to councillors, more than 70 firefighters from across the county have raised concerns that the imposed changes to working hours will increase childcare and caring costs for firefighters already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service chiefs say they are extremely proud of its firefighters and the work they do supporting the most vulnerable in society.
They say they are committed to listening to all the feedback and are holding one-to-one meetings to understand how the changes impact firefighters on an individual level.

But ten frontline firefighters were invited to address councillors and Gloucestershire fire and rescue service’s chief fire officer at the behind-closed-doors fire scrutiny panel on March 7 at Gloucestershire County Council.

The fire scrutiny panel comprises of county councillors, who have the power to recommend against this change.

FBU officials say that the County Council will be punishing women in the service instead of supporting them, while the change in working hours will have a detrimental impact on firefighter and public safety.

Kate Yhnell, Fire Brigades Union brigade organiser for Gloucestershire said ahead of the meeting: “Gloucestershire firefighters are urging all members of the County Council fire scrutiny committee to recommend against disastrous changes to working hours.”

“Forcing firefighters to work eleven hour shifts will only pile unnecessary pressure on the frontline.

“We are raising the alarm that exhausting the workforce and pushing many firefighters out of the service will create an avoidable staffing crisis, risking public safety.”

“Gloucestershire fire and rescue service should be supporting women and those with caring responsibilities, not punishing them with this additional financial and mental burden.

“To avoid potential industrial action, Gloucestershire County Council must start listening to firefighters and reverse this decision.”

And Dave Roberts, Fire Brigades Union regional secretary said firefighters felt they had not been given a genuine opportunity to voice their concerns before last Friday’s meeting

“This policy is being imposed with little regard for its consequences, and it is unacceptable that Gloucestershire fire and rescue service are proceeding against the wishes of those on the frontline.”

A fire and rescue service spokesperson said: “Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is extremely proud of its firefighters and the work they do supporting the most vulnerable in society.

“As a service we are committed to delivering an effective, efficient service aligned to the risk profile of the county, ensuring firefighter and community safety is at the heart of everything we do.

“We believe that the proposed changes to start and finish times will enhance our offer to the communities we serve.

“The changes to our shift start and finish times aligns us with other fire and rescue and emergency services to give best value to the public.

“We understand that change is unsettling, and we are committed to listening to all the feedback and actively reflecting on findings from the consultation; we are now engaging in a period of one to one meetings to understand any personal impacts whilst supporting colleagues through any changes.”

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