STOP THIS THREAT TO HAMPSHIRE'S FIRE SERVICE - HUHNE (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

STOP THIS THREAT TO HAMPSHIRE'S FIRE SERVICE - HUHNE

February 16, 2009 3:00 PM

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has appealed to ministers to protect part-time firefighters from new rules which could undermine Hampshire's fire service.

Mr Huhne, who represents the constituency where Hampshire Fire and Rescue is based, said that retained fire-fighters were a key part of the county's fire defences but were now under threat themselves.

"Retained fire-fighters usually have other jobs outside the fire service. They then spend up to 120 hours a week on call, but these hours could count under the 48 hour limit on working hours in a planned EU directive" said Mr Huhne.

"Until now, the Government has rightly fought to secure an opt-out or exemption from the EU directive, but the European Parliament has voted to take that right away. The effects on our fire service could be very serious, and in some areas quite devastating.

"Retained fire-fighters can make the difference between life and death" said Mr Huhne. "If the rules are too restrictive, it will be even harder to find the part-time firefighters who do such important work across the county. There are already unfilled vacancies in the county.

"The solution is for the government to insist on flexibility in the talks between EU ministers and MEPs, and to implement the directive so that retained fire-fighters' hours on call are not included in the tally," said Mr Huhne.

The Eastleigh MP called on Hampshire residents to sign on the on-line petition at www.keeptheoptout.org.uk asking the Government to keep the opt-out and allow retained fire-fighters to continue their current arrangements.