Derbyshire Deputy Chief Fire Officer Terry McDermott praised reserve fire crews who dealt with several incidents during the Fire Brigade Union’s strike over planned changes to terms and conditions affecting pensions, length of service and retirement ages.
Reservist Fire Crews and non FBU firefighters were mobilised to several incidents throughout Derbyshire, providing a contingency emergency response service to cover the FBU national industrial action on Thursday, July 10.
Contingency crews attended multiple incidents during the strike including a fire at Stonebroom School, Alfreton two automatic fire alarms in the Ilkeston area, a car fire in Hathersage, a fire in the open in Doe Lea, Chesterfield, a fire in the open in Derby, a fire in the open in Chellaston and a wheelie bin fire in Clay Cross.
Derbyshire fire service said all the incidents were successfully brought to a safe conclusion by the reserve crews.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer McDermott said: “Whilst the reserve crews are not a replacement for our professional firefighters, I would like to acknowledge their actions today, responding to many incidents throughout Derbyshire, enabling Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to provide an emergency response service during the FBU strike.
“Shortly before 1pm today, three crews were mobilised to a school fire near Alfreton, where their actions managed to contain the fire to one classroom and the roof, saving much of the schools expensive computer equipment from damage.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the communities of Derbyshire for taking extra care and preventing emergencies occurring, however I would like to ask communities to stay vigilant as we face further extended periods of industrial action over the coming weeks.”