Thousands of drivers could be unwittingly breaking the law because they do not realise that their photocard licence has expired, motoring organisations said today.
Those who do remember to renew will be charged £17.50 for a new photocard, a charge the RAC has branded “unreasonable”
Check the dates in 4a and 4b, the second is the expiry date of your licence
The opening of a regional fire control centre in Somerset to cover the south-west of England has been delayed due to technical problems.
The Taunton control room - which will cover Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Avon, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall - was due to begin operating in October 2009.
The Communities and Local Government Department (CLG) said computer and display problems had caused the delays.
No new opening date has been given for the centre to start operating.
When opened, the control centre be able to handle up to 165 calls an hour and one of its walls will feature a giant screen detailing all ongoing incidents and the locations of all crews.
Financial concerns
Mangers of the project said they were glad of the extra time to ensure it all worked correctly.
Julie Burnett of the SW Fire Control Centre said: “The time-span we had left to us was not sufficient.
“We’re actually quite pleased that the CLG has listened to us and given us the time we need to make sure the data we use is correct and reassure the public of their safety.”
But fire chiefs said they were concerned any delays could cost brigades money because they would have to fund their own individual control rooms in the meantime.
Dorset Chief Fire Officer Darran Gunter said: “Is it now going to produce a saving or is it going to be a cost to Dorset?”
The Fire Brigades Union has also criticised the plans, saying they could result in a loss of local knowledge.
The government said centralised services were more efficient at co-ordinating efforts during large-scale emergencies and big fires, and added a centralised service was cheaper to run and would eventually save millions of pounds.
For the first time, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is offering 10 full-time jobs to retained crew members only. Usually, members of the public are invited to apply.
The move has led to a split within the service with some firefighters concerned it will compromise safety to save money.
The service has strenuously denied the charge, claiming there is no cost-cutting agenda. But it has admitted the new recruits will not have to undergo any extra training to work with full-time crews.
Representatives from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have contacted solicitors to ask whether the application process discriminates against full-time firefighters, who have undergone extensive training, and members of the public.
Tony French, Devon spokesman for the FBU, said: “We have sent a letter to solicitors to ask whether or not this is discrimination.
“What we think is happening is discrimination against both full-time firefighters and members of the public.
“It is probably saving a lot of money on training.”
The FBU is concerned that the service will not be able to meet recruitment targets imposed by Government in May.
By 2018, the service will have had to increased dramatically the number of female and ethnic minority members on its staff.
The suggestion is that retained firefighters will have an unfair advantage over members of the public.
Another argument against the transfer scheme is that retained staff will not have to undergo extra training. The fire brigade regards the training and experience of retained firefighters as sufficient to tackle the full-time posts.
However, some firefighters are known to be concerned that safety could be compromised as a result.
They are reluctant to voice their opinions openly because retained and full-time fire fighters always work closely together, the vast majority of cover in the UK being given by Retained Firefighters, facing the same life-threatening risks.
The matter is now being discussed by the National Joint Council – the governing body for the service.
Peter Smith, Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset, said: “Currently, we are offering 10 whole-time firefighter posts for people who wish to join from the retained service.
“There is an opportunity based on the principal that a firefighter is a firefighter and a fire situation doesn’t discriminate. They stand toe-to-toe and are exposed to the same dangers. There is no difference.
“Just because somebody is working on a part-time basis, why should we treat them any differently?
“This is an opportunity for some really, really outstanding firefighters to transfer and make a full-time career.
“It’s the first time its been done and we don’t know how many will want to do it. We anticipate 500 applications.”
There are 1,200 retained firefighters across the service in Devon and Somerset with around 14000 nationally, they are all trained to exactly the same standard as full-time crews. The only difference is they do not go through the same initial 13-week training course.
However, extra training would be given if the new recruits needed a specialist skill – for example, working at the Royal Dockyard in Plymouth or the fire boat at Plymstock.
Mr Smith said the posts were being advertised internally and he did not know where the successful applicants would be stationed.
He added: “This is not being done to save costs. When people leave the retained service, there will be considerable expenses in training their replacement. Cost-saving is not our motivation.”
[email_link]
The minutes from the recent AGM are now available, if you have not yet received a copy please EMAIL
AGENDA
All stations are urged to send a representative. If you are unable to send your Station Rep an alternative will be welcome. Non-member stations are invited to attend and contribute, but will be unable to vote in committee elections.
If you would like any items added to the agenda or would like any information before the meeting please contact the Brigade Secretary –Mark Goodfellow 07967 196650, mark.goodfellow@rfuonline.co.uk