04-29-2007, 09:17 AM
The second planning assumption that was creating the demand for increased resources was the level of risk criteria.
"The setting of the National Risk Criteria is paramount when considering this issue (cost)." Pathfinder Final Report 4,10.2
Pathfinder had used three different levels of National Risk Criteria; 1 death per 30,000 head of population, 1:50,000 and 1:70,000. Most brigades encountered some problems at the lowest level of 1:30,000 and reported significant shortfalls at the other levels.
"Most metropolitan brigades and mixed brigades found that in urban areas some additional appliances were required to meet dwelling risks, and rural brigades found that there were whole stretches of the brigade where many additional appliances would be required". Pathfinder Final Report 3.2.12
These results were only for attendance at dwelling fires and when 'other buildings' (ie. hospitals, factory and office buildings, shopping centres) were included in the calculations, the effects were 'greatly exacerbated'. Brigades estimated that they would need between 50% to 100% increase in resources to provide an adequate level of cover. Clearly, there was a trade-off between levels of safety and cost.
"The study being undertaken by KPMG is likely to identify what the overall cost implication will be, depending on the national risk criteria which are adopted. It is intended that Ministers and Stakeholders will have the opportunity to specify the risk criteria which they consider appropriate". Pathfinder 4.10.1.5
It is abundantly clear that both these factors are integral to the planning of any system of emergency fire cover. Yet the questions concerning risk criteria and WCPS were buried along with the Pathfinder Report and have never since been considered adequately.
2.1 The Pay Claim
In June 2000 Andrew Gilchrist was elected as General Secretary of the Fire
Brigades Union. In his acceptance speech he praised his predecessor, Ken
Cameron, for helping to defend the firefighters national agreement and pay
formula.
"Our wages remain ahead of other public sector workers precisely because we have
maintained the formula".
Andrew Gilchrist General Secretary FBU June 2000
Less than two years later, 28th May 2002, Mr Gilchrist had convinced firefighters to pursue a claim for a 40% pay rise. Negotiations continued throughout the summer months without agreement. On 2nd September, FBU leaders refused to accept an offer of 4% and, subsequently, the Employers requested the Government to intervene.. On 5th September, just three days after negotiations had broken down the Government had set up what it claimed to be an 'independent' investigation.
The Bain Review, so called after its chairman, Professor Sir George Bain was set up quickly and acted even more speedily. In less than three months it was able to carry out a comprehensive and far-ranging review, not only of firefighters pay but of the entire United Kingdom Fire Service - past, present and future.
The FBU did not take any part in these proceedings, claiming that the Review was not truly independent and that the outcomes had been pre-determined.
"The setting of the National Risk Criteria is paramount when considering this issue (cost)." Pathfinder Final Report 4,10.2
Pathfinder had used three different levels of National Risk Criteria; 1 death per 30,000 head of population, 1:50,000 and 1:70,000. Most brigades encountered some problems at the lowest level of 1:30,000 and reported significant shortfalls at the other levels.
"Most metropolitan brigades and mixed brigades found that in urban areas some additional appliances were required to meet dwelling risks, and rural brigades found that there were whole stretches of the brigade where many additional appliances would be required". Pathfinder Final Report 3.2.12
These results were only for attendance at dwelling fires and when 'other buildings' (ie. hospitals, factory and office buildings, shopping centres) were included in the calculations, the effects were 'greatly exacerbated'. Brigades estimated that they would need between 50% to 100% increase in resources to provide an adequate level of cover. Clearly, there was a trade-off between levels of safety and cost.
"The study being undertaken by KPMG is likely to identify what the overall cost implication will be, depending on the national risk criteria which are adopted. It is intended that Ministers and Stakeholders will have the opportunity to specify the risk criteria which they consider appropriate". Pathfinder 4.10.1.5
It is abundantly clear that both these factors are integral to the planning of any system of emergency fire cover. Yet the questions concerning risk criteria and WCPS were buried along with the Pathfinder Report and have never since been considered adequately.
2.1 The Pay Claim
In June 2000 Andrew Gilchrist was elected as General Secretary of the Fire
Brigades Union. In his acceptance speech he praised his predecessor, Ken
Cameron, for helping to defend the firefighters national agreement and pay
formula.
"Our wages remain ahead of other public sector workers precisely because we have
maintained the formula".
Andrew Gilchrist General Secretary FBU June 2000
Less than two years later, 28th May 2002, Mr Gilchrist had convinced firefighters to pursue a claim for a 40% pay rise. Negotiations continued throughout the summer months without agreement. On 2nd September, FBU leaders refused to accept an offer of 4% and, subsequently, the Employers requested the Government to intervene.. On 5th September, just three days after negotiations had broken down the Government had set up what it claimed to be an 'independent' investigation.
The Bain Review, so called after its chairman, Professor Sir George Bain was set up quickly and acted even more speedily. In less than three months it was able to carry out a comprehensive and far-ranging review, not only of firefighters pay but of the entire United Kingdom Fire Service - past, present and future.
The FBU did not take any part in these proceedings, claiming that the Review was not truly independent and that the outcomes had been pre-determined.
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted countsâ€.
Einstein
Einstein