This in from the Fire Brigade Union, in their own words. Ed
The Fire Brigades Union have welcomed the opportunity for IW councillors to debate and reverse the decision to transfer the Island’s emergency 999 fire control room to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.
Newport East Councillor Geoff Lumley has tabled the following motion to the full council to be held at County Hall next week – Wednesday 15th June:
Council resolves, in the light of increasing public concern, to reverse the 2011 Budget decision and subsequent delegated decision (15/11) to transfer the IW Fire Control service to Surrey Fire & Rescue Service. Further it agrees that any future alternative provision of this service must be Island based.
FBU not consulted
The delegated decision to transfer the Island’s emergency fire control centre, based in Newport, was taken by Cllr Barry Abraham who, despite several invites, did not consult with the FBU who represent the views of IW firefighters and emergency control staff.
That decision, if implemented would see Island council tax payers subsidising Surrey county council by at least £216,000 every year so that emergency 999 calls can be answered and managed some 80 miles from the Island, with the loss of vital local knowledge and no guarantees of improved service to the Island’s residents, businesses and visitors.
“Applaud the efforts of Cllr Lumley”
FBU Regional Control Rep Paul Watts said “The IW FBU applaud the efforts of Cllr. Lumely in gaining sufficient support for the motion from eleven other councillors and hope that all Councillors give careful consideration which way their local constituents would wish them to vote on Wednesday
“It’s been less than a year since the Conservative Minister Bob Neil addressed the National Fire Conference and said “Our three priorities will be in order of priority, one, localism, and we’ll weave that into everything we do. The second is localism, and the third is, you’ve guessed it localism.” He went on to say “Activity should take place at the most local level possible to give people a real say in what happens in their area”
“We hope that members of the conservative group will do the right thing for their constituents and reverse this flawed decision that has serious consequences for IW residents, businesses and visitors should it proceed. This will give local people an opportunity to have a real say in how their Fire & Rescue Service is run.
“This could be a final chance for elected and accountable councillors to draw back from the edge of a disaster that will see the Island with an inferior 999 emergency fire control service. We hope they do not waste it.’
