Firefighters in Burnham-On-Sea are set to join crews across the country in striking this coming week to protest over pension reforms.
The four-hour walkout will take place on Wednesday (25th September) from 12noon-4pm.
Tam McFarlane of the South West Fire Brigades Union told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I fully expect that Burnham-On-Sea’s fire crew will be joining the action. There’s a lot of strong feeling across the south west regarding the proposed pension reforms which will have a hugely negative impact on our members. There is also a lot of sympathy from the general public too.”
Residents in the Burnham-On-Sea area have been reassured that Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will operate a reduced emergency service to provide protection.
Spokesman Paul Slaven told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Services may be reduced in the Burnham area but we will have resilience crews operating to provide cover as needed.”
Chief Fire Officer Lee Howell added: “Like all other Fire and Rescue Services, we have contingency plans prepared and will now put these arrangements in place ahead of the first strike. We will continue to respond to 999 calls and will do everything we can to keep the public safe, including during any national fire strike.”
Phil Martin, Head of Community Fire Safety for the Service, added: “You can help us by taking extra care and time to think about fire safety in your home during this period – checking smoke alarms, ensuring you know what you would do if there was a fire and not making unnecessary calls to the fire and rescue service.”
Almost 80% of members of the Fire Brigades Union voted for industrial action in a ballot earlier in September.
