Thu. May 10, 2012

Plaid AM raises Firefighter concerns to Minister

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has this week raised serious concerns at the operational effectiveness of the new Sprinter Van Rural Response Pumps which are set to replace Fire Appliances which provide a primary response to all type of property fires.

The Mid and West Wales Regional Chair of the FBU, Cerith Griffiths, described the action as having “potentially serious implications for the operational effectiveness of the Service and also compromises the safety of operational Firefighters and also for the public living in and visiting the Mid and West Wales area”.

As a result the FBU has issued a Safety Critical Notice to the Chief Fire Officer of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Assembly Member for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr and Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Communities, Rhodri Glyn Thomas, said that Firefighters are best placed to know whether the equipment they use is at an adequate standard and, if Firefighters have such serious concerns, the Minister must step forward and ensure these are addressed as a matter of urgency.

Mr. Thomas has written to the Welsh Government’s Minister for Communities, Carl Sergeant AM, who has responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Services including community fire safety.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas said:

“The Fire Brigades Union has said the firefighting capabilities and limited water supply carried on the new Rural Response Pumps is inadequate, on the grounds of Critical Health and Safety, as a primary response to property fires.

“This is a serious indictment on the new equipment and could potentially lead to life threatening situations.

“Ultimately the Firefighters themselves are best placed to know whether the apparatus they use is to an adequate standard. Evidently this isn’t the case and the Minister must step forward to address these concerns as a matter of urgency”.

ENDS