The Retained Firefighters' Union (RFU) represents serving personnel within the Retained Duty System (RDS). The RFU was formed in 1976 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. We have one aim and that is to serve our members, manage their expectations, and provide national and local representation, general support and advice on any [...]
May 17, 2013
Facing the Future: Sir Ken Knight report into the Fire Service
We are now in the process of examining the contents of the report which was released earlier today. However at first sight the report highlights the statements we have made for many years that efficiency savings within the service have yet to be identified and fully implemented. It is not unreasonable to expect [...]
May 17, 2013
RFU response to Sir Ken Knight’s report
By way of a holding statement, the RFU welcomes in principle Sir Ken Knight's report into the Fire Service. We need to fully digest the contents of the report which has only become available to us this morning, but in essence the report appears to mirror the stance we have been taking for many years [...]
May 15, 2013
Fire Minister confirms no privatisation in Fire Service
Local MP’s appear to be creating an issue over privatisation which doesn’t exist, Fire Minister Brandon Lewis made it abundantly clear when he said: ‘My aim remains to support fire and rescue authorities in exploring new and innovative ways of providing their services, and we are reviewing the options to enable such models without opening [...]
April 23, 2013
Fertilizer Plant Explosion
You will be aware from the media, of a tragedy which occurred in the US at the West Fertilizer Plant on April 17, 2013. To date, it is known that 5 volunteer firefighters from West FD, 4 West EMS Medics, an off-duty Fire Captain from Dallas FD and 4 others lost their lives in the [...]
March 26, 2013
Increases to employee contribution rates from April 2013
The Government has now published its response to the consultation document to the proposed changes to the firefighters' pension schemes in England. The process took place between 29 November 2012 and 25 January 2013. For our members, this means that the outcome of the consultation process has resulted in the following contribution rate increase within the [...]
March 20, 2013
Local Government Association conference 2013 – speech by Fire Minister
The following is the speech by Fire Minister Brandon Lewis to the Local Government Association fire conference.This is the text of the speech as drafted, which may differ slightly from the delivered version. I am delighted to be here today speaking at my first Local Government Association fire conference. Today we have a lot to celebrate [...]
March 13, 2013
RDS conference 2013 presentations now online
Following on from CFOA's RDS Conference 2013 held in Warrington last week (7-8 March) you can now download most of the presentations given during the two day conference. Day 1 LGA Perspective Cllr Mark Healey (Devon & Somerset) Scottish Fire Reform, from an RDS Perspective Rae Cameron Implementation of rostered hours for RDS Chris Parker & [...]
March 13, 2013
Fire authorities claim they face £600 million funding gap
The LGA issued the following media release on 12 March 2013 Fire authorities will have £600 million less to spend on keeping the public safe from harm in five years compared to 2011/12, according to a new report published today. The stark warning comes from the Local Government Association (LGA) which says that the fire service [...]
National Fire News
- Fire Service needs Transformers, concludes independent report - NewsBiscuit (satire)
- FOI concerns after switch to national police and fire services - The Courier
- Fire brigade budget cuts will lead to a 'poorer service', claim unions - Express.co.uk
- Bradford fire service staff dispute calls in review that they need re-organisation - Bradford Telegraph and Argus
- Landlord jailed for fire safety breaches after teenage jockeys died - stv.tv
December 31, 2010
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