Royal Berkshire Fire Authority Executive Committee Retained Availability & the Impact on the Viability of Providing a Retained Service

Retained Fire Stations/Retained Units

Retained Cost/Availability/Activity

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs –Five weeks paid leave based on previous activity levels –Pay parity with Wholetime personnel –Access to Pension Scheme

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards –Ability to transfer between Retained and Wholetime –Same standards must be applied Ability/potential Medical Fitness –Fewer applicants –Fewer successful applicants

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards Development of Competence for Role –Common Firefighter role map –Three hours training/week –Availability for extra training –Cost of Extra Training –Health & Safety driving change

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards Development of Competence for Role EC Working Time Directive –Current Opt Out of 48 hour limit –Proposal to end all Opt Out End “long hours” culture in some member states Create employment –End to Secondary Contracts – Impact on Retained viability

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards Development of Competence for Role EC Working Time Directive EC road Transport Directive –Fire Appliance driving exempt –Hours spent working for FRS are counted towards total drivers hours –Unable to employ Retained firefighters whose primary employment involved LGV/PSV driving

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards Development of Competence for Role EC Working Time Directive EC road Transport Directive Socio Demographics –Berkshire’s commuter culture –Onerous Impact on lifestyle

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards Development of Competence for Role EC Working Time Directive EC road Transport Directive Socio Demographics Economic Pressures –Willingness of primary employers to release staff –Need to travel beyond local community for work or to seek employment –Need for longer hours for primary employer

Retained Issues Modernisation Costs Recruitment Standards Development of Competence for Role EC Working Time Directive EC road Transport Directive Socio Demographics Economic Pressures Lower earning potential –Retained calls down by 30% –Fewer standby duties required

Consequences Significant periods of unavailability

Consequences Retained Off the Run by Hour

Consequences Retained Off the Run by Hour Weekend

Consequences Retained Off the Run by Hour Week Day

Consequences Significant periods of unavailability Extended Turnout Time

Consequences

Significant periods of unavailability Extended Turnout Time

Consequences Significant periods of unavailability Extended Turnout Time –Delayed attendance time –Secondary mobilisation of cover appliance

Consequences Significant periods of unavailability Extended Turnout Time –Delayed attendance time –Secondary mobilisation of cover appliance Risk Model based on false assumptions? –Need to re-model based on actual performance

The Way Forward Retained recruitment and Retention Coordinator –On hold pending further work

The Way Forward Retained recruitment and Retention Coordinator –On hold pending further work Strategic work –Focus on the issues –Identify response options –Inform IRMP process

The Way Forward - Recommendations Retained recruitment and Retention Coordinator –On hold pending further work Strategic work –Focus on the issues –Identify response options –Inform IRMP process IRMP review