Fears have been expressed that large areas of Scotland could be left without effective fire cover after last month’s vote in the European Parliament, which proposes to end the UK’s opt-out from the EU Working Time Directive.
A House of Commons motion put down last week by John Thurso, MP for Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross, calls for urgent government action following the European Parliament vote which, he claims, could lead to the closure of many fire stations in Scotland staffed by retained firefighters. The directive prohibits employees working more than 48 hours a week – even if they want to.
Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire Council is to lobby Gordon Brown and first minister Alex Salmond about the consequences on the fire and rescue service in Scotland of ending the opt-out. According to a report in the Aberdeen Press & Journal, joint fire and rescue board convener Mike Raeburn told the council that lives could be lost if the change forces the closure of dozens of fire stations manned by part-time firefighters.
“This is the most significant threat to the safety of our community,” he said. “You can forget al-Qaida. You can forget global warming. The risk is significant because it affects everybody. Am I pressing the panic button? You can bet your life on it – literally.”
321 out of 391 fire stations in Scotland are manned by nearly 3,500 retained firefighters.
The government is against ending the opt-out and over the next few months will be pressing EU ministers to continue it. If the UK does not get its way, it may be obliged to enforce the directive by 2011.
Aberdeen Press & Journal: Full report
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