Firefighters Face Suspension

[Busyman™]

A spokesman said: "The nine now accept that they should have performed their duties. Their refusal was a fundamental breach of their core responsibilities."

The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.

The fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.

"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality."

source

Job description

Firefighters make an area safer by minimising the risks, plus the social and economic costs, of fire and other hazards. They rescue people and property from all types of accident and disaster; only one in five calls, on average, is specifically for help at a fire.

Acting and advising on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks, firefighters also promote fire safety and enforce fire safety standards in public and commercial premises. Lectures, exercises, practice drills and other forms of training are an integral and continual part of the job.
Typical work activities

Firefighters work mainly as part of a six person crew. Typical activities include:

* attending emergency incidents: fires; road accidents; floods; bomb incidents; spillages of dangerous substances; and rail and air crashes;
* rescuing trapped people and animals;
* minimising distress and suffering, including giving first aid before the ambulance crew arrives;
* ensuring your own and others' personal safety at all times;
* dealing with unforeseen circumstances as they arise; thinking and responding quickly;
* cleaning up and checking the site after dealing with an incident;
* taking the time to become familiar with local streets, roads and buildings around your own and nearby fire stations in order to respond to emergency calls with the utmost speed and efficiency;
* inspecting and maintaining your appliance (fire engine) and its equipment, assisting in the testing of fire hydrants and checking emergency water supplies;
* doing drills, physical training and taking part in training sessions on techniques, use of equipment and related matters;
* maintaining a level of physical fitness necessary to carry out all the duties of a firefighter;
* educating and informing the public to help promote fire safety, eg giving talks in schools and to local organisations.

For the fire officer in charge, additional activities will include:

* assessing situations quickly and deciding on the best course of action;
* directing the crew;
* writing full incident reports.

source

Nature and Scope of Job

The Operational Firefighter must, as part of operational duties, endeavour to save lives, carry out humanitarian services as necessary and protect property; these duties can be summarised as:

• attending and dealing with incidents involving fire.
• attending to incidents such as road traffic accidents, or similar, and to extricate victims or casualties and render the scene safe from further risk of fire.
• instigating protective measures to safeguard members of the public from hazards resulting from dangerous buildings or structures, as required.
• mitigating the effects of damage to property as a result of freak or exceptional climatic conditions, if safe to do so.
• prevent the suffering to and effect the rescue of animals trapped by fire or other miscellaneous cause.
• providing physical assistance and rescue skills to aid other emergency services at civil disasters or other major incidents.
• assist authorities at incidents involving on site hazardous substances or those in transportation and protect the public from the effects of those substances as part of routine service duties.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Fire Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Community Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• complete all relevant paperwork associated with an Operational Firefighter's duties including maintenance of Brigade records.
• maintain standards of dress and personal appearance as required by Brigade Policy, reflecting the proper image of a uniformed service.
• maintain a level of fitness in accordance with Brigade medical standards and Home Office Regulations covering Operational Firefighters.
• carry out inspections of property and report of risks under the Fire Services Act 2004.
• check, test and maintain equipment carried on appliances and record results in Station Records.
• inspect and test fire hydrants in accordance with Brigade policy.
• host and guide members of the public visiting Fire Service premises.
• during periods of agreed availability to attend the designated fire station for additional training to specific maintenance tasks or carry out routine duties, as directed by the Supervisory Officer.

source

It's part of their job.

The task was to promote safety, not to pass judgement on the lifestyle of the audience.

Well there we have it.

[DanB]

A spokesman said: "The nine now accept that they should have performed their duties. Their refusal was a fundamental breach of their core responsibilities."

The nine firefighters are based at Cowcaddens and were asked to distribute community safety advice to people attending the Pride Scotia festival in George Square on 24 June.

The fire service spokesman said: "Firefighters cannot, and will not, pick and choose to whom they offer fire safety advice.

"Strathclyde Fire and Rescue has a responsibility to protect every one of the 2.3m people it serves, irrespective of race, religion or sexuality."

source

Job description

Firefighters make an area safer by minimising the risks, plus the social and economic costs, of fire and other hazards. They rescue people and property from all types of accident and disaster; only one in five calls, on average, is specifically for help at a fire.

Acting and advising on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks, firefighters also promote fire safety and enforce fire safety standards in public and commercial premises. Lectures, exercises, practice drills and other forms of training are an integral and continual part of the job.
Typical work activities

Firefighters work mainly as part of a six person crew. Typical activities include:

* attending emergency incidents: fires; road accidents; floods; bomb incidents; spillages of dangerous substances; and rail and air crashes;
* rescuing trapped people and animals;
* minimising distress and suffering, including giving first aid before the ambulance crew arrives;
* ensuring your own and others' personal safety at all times;
* dealing with unforeseen circumstances as they arise; thinking and responding quickly;
* cleaning up and checking the site after dealing with an incident;
* taking the time to become familiar with local streets, roads and buildings around your own and nearby fire stations in order to respond to emergency calls with the utmost speed and efficiency;
* inspecting and maintaining your appliance (fire engine) and its equipment, assisting in the testing of fire hydrants and checking emergency water supplies;
* doing drills, physical training and taking part in training sessions on techniques, use of equipment and related matters;
* maintaining a level of physical fitness necessary to carry out all the duties of a firefighter;
* educating and informing the public to help promote fire safety, eg giving talks in schools and to local organisations.

For the fire officer in charge, additional activities will include:

* assessing situations quickly and deciding on the best course of action;
* directing the crew;
* writing full incident reports.

source

Nature and Scope of Job

The Operational Firefighter must, as part of operational duties, endeavour to save lives, carry out humanitarian services as necessary and protect property; these duties can be summarised as:

• attending and dealing with incidents involving fire.
• attending to incidents such as road traffic accidents, or similar, and to extricate victims or casualties and render the scene safe from further risk of fire.
• instigating protective measures to safeguard members of the public from hazards resulting from dangerous buildings or structures, as required.
• mitigating the effects of damage to property as a result of freak or exceptional climatic conditions, if safe to do so.
• prevent the suffering to and effect the rescue of animals trapped by fire or other miscellaneous cause.
• providing physical assistance and rescue skills to aid other emergency services at civil disasters or other major incidents.
• assist authorities at incidents involving on site hazardous substances or those in transportation and protect the public from the effects of those substances as part of routine service duties.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Fire Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Community Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• complete all relevant paperwork associated with an Operational Firefighter's duties including maintenance of Brigade records.
• maintain standards of dress and personal appearance as required by Brigade Policy, reflecting the proper image of a uniformed service.
• maintain a level of fitness in accordance with Brigade medical standards and Home Office Regulations covering Operational Firefighters.
• carry out inspections of property and report of risks under the Fire Services Act 2004.
• check, test and maintain equipment carried on appliances and record results in Station Records.
• inspect and test fire hydrants in accordance with Brigade policy.
• host and guide members of the public visiting Fire Service premises.
• during periods of agreed availability to attend the designated fire station for additional training to specific maintenance tasks or carry out routine duties, as directed by the Supervisory Officer.

source

It's part of their job.

The task was to promote safety, not to pass judgement on the lifestyle of the audience.

so spin on that BB

[JPaul]

Nicely posted vidcc, good points well presented.

It was part of their job, they refused to do it, they were disciplined. That, as they say, seems to be that.

Their Union will of course defend them, which is also totally appropriate.

[bigboab]

source

Job description

Firefighters make an area safer by minimising the risks, plus the social and economic costs, of fire and other hazards. They rescue people and property from all types of accident and disaster; only one in five calls, on average, is specifically for help at a fire.

Acting and advising on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks, firefighters also promote fire safety and enforce fire safety standards in public and commercial premises. Lectures, exercises, practice drills and other forms of training are an integral and continual part of the job.
Typical work activities

Firefighters work mainly as part of a six person crew. Typical activities include:

* attending emergency incidents: fires; road accidents; floods; bomb incidents; spillages of dangerous substances; and rail and air crashes;
* rescuing trapped people and animals;
* minimising distress and suffering, including giving first aid before the ambulance crew arrives;
* ensuring your own and others' personal safety at all times;
* dealing with unforeseen circumstances as they arise; thinking and responding quickly;
* cleaning up and checking the site after dealing with an incident;
* taking the time to become familiar with local streets, roads and buildings around your own and nearby fire stations in order to respond to emergency calls with the utmost speed and efficiency;
* inspecting and maintaining your appliance (fire engine) and its equipment, assisting in the testing of fire hydrants and checking emergency water supplies;
* doing drills, physical training and taking part in training sessions on techniques, use of equipment and related matters;
* maintaining a level of physical fitness necessary to carry out all the duties of a firefighter;
* educating and informing the public to help promote fire safety, eg giving talks in schools and to local organisations.

For the fire officer in charge, additional activities will include:

* assessing situations quickly and deciding on the best course of action;
* directing the crew;
* writing full incident reports.

source

Nature and Scope of Job

The Operational Firefighter must, as part of operational duties, endeavour to save lives, carry out humanitarian services as necessary and protect property; these duties can be summarised as:

• attending and dealing with incidents involving fire.
• attending to incidents such as road traffic accidents, or similar, and to extricate victims or casualties and render the scene safe from further risk of fire.
• instigating protective measures to safeguard members of the public from hazards resulting from dangerous buildings or structures, as required.
• mitigating the effects of damage to property as a result of freak or exceptional climatic conditions, if safe to do so.
• prevent the suffering to and effect the rescue of animals trapped by fire or other miscellaneous cause.
• providing physical assistance and rescue skills to aid other emergency services at civil disasters or other major incidents.
• assist authorities at incidents involving on site hazardous substances or those in transportation and protect the public from the effects of those substances as part of routine service duties.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Fire Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Community Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• complete all relevant paperwork associated with an Operational Firefighter's duties including maintenance of Brigade records.
• maintain standards of dress and personal appearance as required by Brigade Policy, reflecting the proper image of a uniformed service.
• maintain a level of fitness in accordance with Brigade medical standards and Home Office Regulations covering Operational Firefighters.
• carry out inspections of property and report of risks under the Fire Services Act 2004.
• check, test and maintain equipment carried on appliances and record results in Station Records.
• inspect and test fire hydrants in accordance with Brigade policy.
• host and guide members of the public visiting Fire Service premises.
• during periods of agreed availability to attend the designated fire station for additional training to specific maintenance tasks or carry out routine duties, as directed by the Supervisory Officer.

source

It's part of their job.

The task was to promote safety, not to pass judgement on the lifestyle of the audience.

so spin on that BB

I still think the whole thing could have been done on a voluntary basis , preventing this whole incident occuring. Or was it and no volunteers were forthcoming?

[DanB]

source

source

Nature and Scope of Job

The Operational Firefighter must, as part of operational duties, endeavour to save lives, carry out humanitarian services as necessary and protect property; these duties can be summarised as:

• attending and dealing with incidents involving fire.
• attending to incidents such as road traffic accidents, or similar, and to extricate victims or casualties and render the scene safe from further risk of fire.
• instigating protective measures to safeguard members of the public from hazards resulting from dangerous buildings or structures, as required.
• mitigating the effects of damage to property as a result of freak or exceptional climatic conditions, if safe to do so.
• prevent the suffering to and effect the rescue of animals trapped by fire or other miscellaneous cause.
• providing physical assistance and rescue skills to aid other emergency services at civil disasters or other major incidents.
• assist authorities at incidents involving on site hazardous substances or those in transportation and protect the public from the effects of those substances as part of routine service duties.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Fire Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• carry out responsibilities in connection with Community Safety, as directed by Brigade Policy.
• complete all relevant paperwork associated with an Operational Firefighter's duties including maintenance of Brigade records.
• maintain standards of dress and personal appearance as required by Brigade Policy, reflecting the proper image of a uniformed service.
• maintain a level of fitness in accordance with Brigade medical standards and Home Office Regulations covering Operational Firefighters.
• carry out inspections of property and report of risks under the Fire Services Act 2004.
• check, test and maintain equipment carried on appliances and record results in Station Records.
• inspect and test fire hydrants in accordance with Brigade policy.
• host and guide members of the public visiting Fire Service premises.
• during periods of agreed availability to attend the designated fire station for additional training to specific maintenance tasks or carry out routine duties, as directed by the Supervisory Officer.

source

It's part of their job.

The task was to promote safety, not to pass judgement on the lifestyle of the audience.

so spin on that BB

I still think the whole thing could have been done on a voluntary basis , preventing this whole incident occuring. Or was it and no voulunteers were forthcoming?

I don't know, why don't you go and ask them?

[JPaul]

I still think the whole thing could have been done on a voluntary basis , preventing this whole incident occuring. Or was it and no volunteers were forthcoming?

If it's part of their normal duties why would you ask for volunteers.

[bigboab]

I still think the whole thing could have been done on a voluntary basis , preventing this whole incident occuring. Or was it and no volunteers were forthcoming?

If it's part of their normal duties why would you ask for volunteers.

It used to be the norm to ask for volunteers to attend 'functions' outside of what would be your normal activities. It was normally an overtime job like attending football matches(Policemen) etc. How much did this cost the taxpayer? These 'leaflets' could have been put through everybody's door at the rate of about £3 per hundred doors.

[vidcc]

If the question was " should a fire safety awareness activity be taking place at a public Mardi gras (gay pride parade) at all ? " then that would be a fair discussion. What qualifies as a legitimate place to set up a safety awareness stand is a fair discussion.
However that is not what this is about.

The fact that it was a gay pride parade is irrelevant to the case against these firemen. They work in a discipline service. Those that make the decision where "to set up shop" decided to do so, and the order was given.
These firefighters made the choice to disobey an order and in a discipline service that is serious misconduct.

How much did this cost the taxpayer? These 'leaflets' could have been put through everybody's door at the rate of about £3 per hundred doors.

I think the point is that people will ask questions and the firefighter will be able to answer them. A firefighter is more effective in person than a leaflet through a door.

[JPaul]

If it's part of their normal duties why would you ask for volunteers.

It used to be the norm to ask for volunteers to attend 'functions' outside of what would be your normal activities.

It would appear to be part of their normal duties tho'. Wait, that was in the question "If it's part of their normal duties why would you ask for volunteers."

[JPaul]

Another good point from vidcc. They signed the contract so were obliged to follow the order. If they didn't like it then they should have left.

You'll remember boab, failure to follow a legally given order is not allowed.

I think the Union will broker some form of compromise and the punishments will be reduced. Possibly with those involved saying they will do it when instructed the next time.