Fire Brigades Union Praise Efforts of Fire Crews at Swinley Forest Fire
June 1, 2011 by webmaster
Filed under Local Press Releases
MEDIA RELEASE
The Fire Brigades Union have paid tribute to the work of firefighters and emergency control room staff who went the extra mile to fight and manage the Swinley Forest fire. Hundreds of FBU members worked extremely long and arduous shifts to achieve a successful conclusion to this unprecedented incident.
The FBU also notes the dangers posed by woodland fires and their environmental and financial cost. It urges Royal Berkshire Fire Authority to delay the implementation of Bracknell Forest Area Fires Partnership Trial until a full review of the Swinley Forest fire has been completed and lessons learnt. This policy, due for implementation on 1st June 2011, sees the management of small woodland fires handed over to designated park rangers in the Bracknell Forest area.
The FBU is also concerned by plans to implement the Low Risk Incidents Policy that includes such fires. The policy will use full-time fire engines to respond to low risk calls on part-time station areas rather than the nearest available fire engine.
Maurice Whyte, Berkshire FBU Brigade Chair, said:
“Berkshire’s crews and many others from as far away as Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire assisted with the incident and emergency fire control staff tirelessly co-ordinated the response of hundreds of crews, officers and supporting resources. Their work was nothing less than outstanding and they should be congratulated on their efforts in extremely testing circumstances”.
“The recent incident at Swinley Forest stretched Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service resources to their utmost and diluted fire cover in Berkshire with reduced attendances at other incidents. We are concerned that the new policies such as the Bracknell Forest Area Fires Partnership and the Low Risk Incident Policy will leave Berkshire vulnerable to the impact of large forest fires in future. Every fire is small at the outset but it is foolish to delay dealing with it. Not using the nearest fire engine would be such a delay”.
***ENDS***
Media contacts:
Maurice Whyte – Brigade Chair 07917 065867
Mark Stollery – Brigade Secretary 07917 065868
