“The report rightly highlights the important work of the fire sector in responding to the pandemic. Fire authorities are proud of their work in responding to the pandemic and supporting their communities. I also want to thank all those firefighters and other staff who volunteer to help save lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS."
Responding to publication of the national report by HMICFRS on fire and rescue services response to the pandemic, Cllr Ian Stephens, chair of the LGA’s Fire Services Management Committee, said:
“The report rightly highlights the important work of the fire sector in responding to the pandemic. Fire authorities are proud of their work in responding to the pandemic and supporting their communities. I also want to thank all those firefighters and other staff who volunteer to help save lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS.
“We are pleased that the inspectorate has recognised the importance of the tripartite agreement in providing a way for firefighters to respond to the pandemic. The National Employers played a pivotal role in bringing the National Fire Chiefs Councils and the Fire Brigades Union together after they had failed to reach an agreement on their own about what work could be carried out locally by firefighters.
“We share the disappointment that some activities took time to agree, but the tripartite and subsequent NJC agreement did enable activities to start, and then continue, so the fire service could respond to the pandemic. By bringing together all fire and rescue services the tripartite and NJC agreements provided a single arrangement rather than a piecemeal approach.
“Giving chief fire officers operational independence would not enable them to direct firefighters to undertake new activity. That could only be achieved with a change in their terms and conditions of employment.”