Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Cornwall County Fire Brigade at 12/06/2003 15:00

All members of Cornwall County Fire Brigade are delighted with the news that the Fire Dispute is now over, and that the Firefighters of Cornwall can now put the past nine months of disruption behind them and concentrate on providing the vital fire and rescue service to the people of Cornwall.

Jill Ferrett says “I am very relieved by today’s good news. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all Firefighters of Cornwall on the manner in which they have conducted themselves during the recent dispute. They gave me an undertaking, from the outset of the dispute, that they would provide a response to any serious or life threatening incident – this they did in a very effective and professional manner”

She added “I know that the Chief Fire Officer and all staff have a good working relationship which has served the Brigade well throughout the dispute”

Chief Fire Officer Mick Howell explains “I am delighted that the dispute in the Fire Service has been resolved by a negotiated settlement. Throughout the dispute, including during strike action, firefighters of this County have continued to provide an emergency response to serious incidents and those that threaten lives. I am pleased that as a consequence there were no injuries or property damaged as direct result of any strike action.”

He also paid tribute to all personnel who, irrespective of union membership have worked so hard to respect each others position and still provide and support our front line service. He also recognised the role played by members of the Fire Authority during the turbulent times of the dispute. Their local support of a negotiated settlement was vital to ensure that all personnel focused on the national issues”.

Firefighters’ national employers have been negotiating with the Fire Brigades Union to achieve this settlement for over twelve months. Cornwall’s Fire Authority is represented at a national level by County Councillors including the Executive Member for Public Protection Jill Ferrett.