ESSEX firefighters have issued safety advice to the public ahead of their strike next Wednesday.
Essex Fire Brigades Union members, along with colleagues across the country, will be taking industrial action between midday and 4pm on Wednesday the 25th September. The industrial action is part of a national dispute over Government pension reforms.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary, said: “This initial strike is a warning shot to government. Firefighters could not be more serious about protecting public safety and ensuring fair pensions.
In light of the planned action Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s Head of Safer Communities has issued advice to ‘help the public to help themselves’ while there is reduced fire cover.
‘Fire engines will still be attending emergencies and the public should continue to dial 999 as normal,’ said Assistant Chief Fire Officer Paul Hill.
‘But anything we can do to reduce the number of non-emergency calls between 12:00hrs and 16:00hrs on Wednesday will clearly assist us in ensuring our service delivery is directed to those areas where it is most needed.’
In advance of the strike, families are being urged to check their smoke alarms are working as well as, keeping an eye on any vulnerable neighbours, friends and family and helping them to check theirs. “If they don’t have one, you still have time to fit one,” said ACFO Hill. “Smoke alarms have proved time and again that they are invaluable life saving devices and with or without industrial action will give people early warning and time to escape a fire.
