Here at FCCL we have had issues before with small vans replacing Fire Engines, in fact one of our poetic masterpieces was "Simon Had an FRU" which if you fancy a
constructive and informative giggle is available
here
But today at FCCL HQ the red mist descended when we were sent an email from ACO Rhodes to his staff in regard to the periods of legitimate Industrial Action taking place by the FBU over the next 8 days.
Lets be honest here we have seen and heard some stupid things that senior officers have done but this one most definitely takes the West Yorkshire Tax Payers biscuit
Below is the email in its entirety
Between the periods of industrial action (IA) that are taking place from the 14th to the 21st July 2014, a decision has been made not to return appliances to their home stations as has previously been the case.
Therefore, some crews will not have an appliance available for the duration of this series of IA periods and consideration has been given as to how to utilise these crews.
They have been provided with a VW Caddy van which has adequate storage space for community safety fitting equipment and small ladder, which should be stored in the vehicle for the duration of these IA periods. There is also adequate storage space for the crew’s fire kit.
This will enable Home Fire Safety Checks, Operational Risk Visits and other activities to be carried out by personnel whilst enabling crews to be recalled for operational deployment if required.
During the day shift, crews will be allocated one of two tasks:
1. Carry out HFSC’s, Operational Risk Visits, training and maintenance within their own station ground
2. Carry out a targeted risk reduction campaign in the Dewsbury/Batley areas
To aid planning, a rota for daily tasking has been developed so that crews know which tasks they are to undertake.
During the night shift, crews are expected to perform tasks as normal including administrative tasks, training, E-learning or risk visits.
Again where necessary, crews may be recalled to FSHQ for operational deployment.
ACO S Rhodes Silver Commander
AND below Steve is our response.
Between the periods of industrial action (IA) that are taking place from the 14th to the 21st July 2014, a decision has been made not to return appliances to their home stations as has previously been the case. Really - who made that decision and where is it documented, Are the councillors on the Fire Authority aware of this ?
Therefore, some crews will not have an appliance available for the duration of this series of IA periods and consideration has been given as to how to utilise these crews. Many of West Yorks Stations consist of just one or two pumps. Will this mean that some stations HAVE NO FIRE ENGINE AT ALL!!!! What about retained stations, will there be pumps at these.
They have been provided with a VW Caddy van which has adequate storage space for community safety fitting equipment and small ladder, which should be stored in the vehicle for the duration of these IA periods. There is also adequate storage space for the crew’s fire kit.
This will enable Home Fire Safety Checks, Operational Risk Visits and other activities to be carried out by personnel whilst enabling crews to be recalled for operational deployment if required. So lets get this straight, if there is an incident, you get back in your van and drive to FSHQ to pick up a pump to go back to an incident !!!!!!!!
During the day shift, crews will be allocated one of two tasks:
1. Carry out HFSC’s, Operational Risk Visits, training and maintenance within their own station ground. BUT what happens if there is an incident - surely this will increase response times even more.
And correct me if i am wrong BUT DONT YOU NEED A PUMP AND ALL ITS KIT TO TRAIN WITH ???????
2. Carry out a targeted risk reduction campaign in the Dewsbury/Batley areas.
Ahh yes we know about Dewsbury and Batley - the stations you decided to close and commented that it must be ok because nobody bothered to respond. Nobody bothered because WYFRS and shame on them the Councillors in those wards didnt care enough to consult with their constituents. Setting Batley FS a target of a 1,000 extra HFSC this year was pretty unachievable without some serious intervention, we did wonder how you were going to pull that one off!
To aid planning, a rota for daily tasking has been developed so that crews know which tasks they are to undertake. Such as . Wash floors, clean windows and change station cats litter trays maybe! We understand the strike breaking scabs leave quite an odour behind.
During the night shift, crews are expected to perform tasks as normal including administrative tasks, training, E-learning or risk visits.
ooh lets think about this one, yet again no pump = no cover. And although we dont doubt you have spent many a night swotting at your companies expense we would prefer our crews to be within a short sprint of a pump.
Again where necessary, crews may be recalled to FSHQ for operational deployment.
You call it operational deployment - we call them fires and road traffic accidents and we know you are being grossly irresponsible by taking away pumps from competent, experienced crews.
ACO S Rhodes Silver Commander
Bless - nothing like throwing your weight about is there ?
ACO Rhodes would have been quite sufficient. But we know you like to feel important. So we shall join you and sign off
Lets make it perfectly clear - the email above puts every citizen in West Yorkshire at significant risk. The strikes are for two sets of two hours per day. Senior Officers at WYFRS have chosen to put the county at risk for the other TWENTY as well.
So we have a little bit of advice for every fire fighter who does a risk assesment or Home Fire Safety Check in the next week. Tell people why you are doing them, explain about ACO Rhodes removing pumps from stations and when they are outraged give them his phone number and suggest they give him a call.
Assistant Chief Officer/Director of Service Support
1. to David Williams , West Yorks FBU brigade secretary who burst out laughing when he heard I had a spinning wheel - been warned sweetie with another FOUR YEARS of cuts coming you might just end up with the FRS equivalent - a bucket of water. 
