Business down the Pan!

A Lot has been made about House Fires, but what about your business? Most Businesses have Fire Alarms - 

Business Fires

Whilst numerically domestic fires dominate, the higher cost is carried by the commercial sector. The average cost of a commercial fire is £44,000; a figure that is often not covered completely by insurance. A sobering thought is that up to 80% of those businesses that experience a serious fire go out of business within 3 years of the fire.

And CFOA  the 

Chief Fire Officers Association

Said in 2006

Click HERE to access the CFOA website

"60% of private businesses affected by fire never recover"

But one of the ways that the Fire Brigade has reduced its calls is by not responding straight away to the Alarm. They await until a fire is confirmed or send an Officer in a car to investigate first! 

So Your Livelihood is up in Flames, your employees out of work.

Photo courtesy of the "Guardian" Newspaper

Have you been consulted about the cuts?

AS Part of the Consultation they are required to consult with Stakeholders within the County

Last year According to the Fire Authority Meeting Minutes

 "Approximately    80     stakeholders    were    identified   for   direct      contact,"

YES 

80 !!!!!!!! 

Only 80!!!!!!!

(and 2.2 million people live in West Yorkshire) 

Out of all the businesses within West Yorkshire!

FCCL would suggest that is not very many!

In a Report from 2009  

The

Association of Business Insurers  (ABI)

claimed

Record rise in the costs of fire damage
The cost of fire damage now stands at a record level according to research published today by the ABI. In the first half of 2009, insurers paid out £639 million - £3.6 million every day - for damage caused by fires. This is the highest half yearly figure ever, and follows on from last year’s record high level of fire claim costs.

HOW MUCH MORE WILL IT CONTINUE TO INCREASE?

 Nick Starling, the ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, said:

“The challenging economic climate is having a significant impact on the fire danger. While the numbers of fires may have been falling, the increase in large-scale fires is increasingly putting lives at risk, and puts more pressure on businesses in these already difficult trading times.”

This disturbing picture emerges from the ABI’s analysis of fire trends launched [sic] today (10 December) at a reception at the House of Commons. ‘Tackling Fire: A call for Action’ highlights that:

·         Fire damage claims in the first half of 2009 cost £639 million - £3.6 million each day. This follows on from the £1.3 billion fire losses in 2008, a 16% rise on 2007 and the most expensive year ever.
·         Between 2002 and 2008 the cost of the average fire claim for both commercial and domestic fires doubled, to £21,000 and £8,000 respectively.
·          Arson, which tends to increase during a recession, accounts for half of all commercial fires.

Socially deprived areas and schools are especially vulnerable  (Like most of the Inner city areas of West Yorkshire - FCCL Team): arson rates are 30 times higher in poorer areas.Twenty schools a week suffer an arson attack, disrupting the education of 90,000 schoolchildren, causing damage costing £65 million.
·          More open plan buildings, which allow more rapid spread of fire, and the increase in out of town developments, where fires can go for longer unnoticed, are among factors contributing to the doubling of fire costs since 2002."

Nick Starling added:

“Our analysis shows grounds for concern over fire trends. The continued recession is likely to have a significant impact on the number and cost of fires, and potentially on the number of fire-related deaths and injuries. That is why we urge the Government, working with other stakeholders including the fire service the police and insurers, to adopt our proposals to reduce the impact of fire.”

SO

Demand That You Are Consulted! 

If you are also confused by the Gobbledygook
 Contact the West Yorkshire FBU Officials on
 07967105224
for a clearer explanation!


Then once you have heard 

THE FACTS 
FROM OPERATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS 
(not management sat in their ivory tower) 

send YOUR VIEWS on the proposed cuts in West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Provision 

 send your comments via snail mail to 

Hannah Stoneman   or email her HERE

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Oakroyd Hall

Bradford Road

Birkenshaw

West Yorkshire

BD11 2DY

Click HERE  to view the consultation documents. 



Remember