Letters

Letter to ACO Peter Hazeldine

ACO Peter Hazeldine
Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Old London Road
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG13 7LD

10th April 2008

Dear Sir,

Trial of CCTV Cameras on Hertfordshire Fire Appliances

Attacks on fire crews continue to be a significant hazard in the fire service. There are few signs of improvement in recent years and it is somewhat disconcerting that this phenomenon is becoming more prevalent in Hertfordshire.

Our membership believe that this issue is best dealt with in terms of the speed and quality of police responses when they are under attack, including the deployment of Police Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) equipped vehicles and fully trained officers with the necessary powers of arrest. This is due in no small part to the wish of Firefighters and FBU representatives to maintain the neutrality of our profession and a clear distinction between the fire service’s duties and those of law enforcement.

Research has found little evidence that CCTV is an effective deterrent against attacks on firefighters. Many firefighters and FBU representatives in other counties have reported that its use undermined their efforts to foster better relations with the communities they serve.

The current technical limitations of CCTV have meant that most camera footage has proven unsuitable for prosecutions.

The FBU have requested the introduction of a moratorium on the use of CCTV until its implications have been thoroughly researched.

In light of this we formally oppose the trial of such equipment in Hertfordshire until such a time as the full implications are studied and quantified.

Regards

Tony Smith

Letter to ACO Peter Hazeldine

ACO Peter Hazeldine
Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Old London Road
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG13 7LD

5th February 2008

Dear Sir,

High Rise Procedure

In order that we may raise a number of concerns we have with regard to this procedure, the Fire Brigades Union request an extension to the initial 28-day consultation period that ends on 8th February 2008.

We are concerned that the definition within the procedure is misleading and does not take account of factors other than height.

The introduction to the procedure states that high-rise buildings can present a considerable challenge, but fails to mention details relating to the increased risk to firefighters that may be brought about by those considerable challenges.

Many of these risks are specific to incidents in high-rise buildings, and can be grouped under three headings:

Building height and design
Fire behaviour and development
Firefighting and rescue operations

Other risks may be considered to be generic but should be included due to the likelihood that they will occur whilst firefighting in high rise buildings.

We would also suggest mention of the fact that the firefighting tactics used could impinge on the fire safety strategy of the building and the potential for the characteristics of the building to worsen and intensify their effects.

There are a number of other issues that we wish to discuss with you regarding this procedure and request that a meeting be arranged to do so.

Regards

Tony Smith

Letter to Ben Read

Ben Read
7 Chilcourt
Royston
Hertfordshire
SG8 9DD

1st February 2008

Dear Ben,

The Brigade Committee have asked that I pass on their thanks to you for the many years of hard work you have put into the Union.

In your capacity as Membership Secretary you have provided an exemplary service to the members of Hertfordshire and in your wider involvement as an EC Member you have helped us to the many achievements we have made as a Union.

We thank you for your support and assistance over the years and look forward to your continued unity as a member at Royston

Yours in unity,

Tony Smith
Brigade Secretary

Letter to CFO Roy Wilsher

CFO Roy Wilsher
Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Old London Road
Hertford
Hertfordshire
SG13 7LD

4th February 2008

Dear Sir,

Warwickshire Improvement Notice

We write to you with regard to the Health & Safety Executive Improvement Notice served on Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Authority.

Although the Improvement Notice is served on Warwickshire, it is the view of the FBU that it has implications for all Fire & Rescue Authorities in the UK and Northern Ireland.

As you are aware, the improvement notice focuses on incident preparedness and our Brigade Committee seeks to ensure that regular and comprehensive familiarisation takes place where our members may be required to attend sites in case of an incident.

We wish to discuss this issue with you at the next Level 2 meeting and we will be seeking your assurance that SLG intend to ensure that this is the case.

Regards

Tony Smith
Brigade Secretary

TELL US YOUR VIEWS: the.team@hertsfbu.org

Hertfordshire Fire Brigades Union
FBU Office, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service
Old London Road, Hertford, Herts SG13 7LD
Tel: (01992) 507507 - Email: the.team@hertsfbu.org