Changes to working patterns for firefighters, which will include stopping Spalding’s full time crews being available at night, have been ratified.
Previously at South Holland’s only fire station served by whole time crews, those working full time shifts also covered night time shifts.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue says that was ruled illegal years ago, but in practice has continued with the full time staff working nights on a voluntary basis.
Now Lincolnshire County Council, which oversees the service, says it wants to make it more sustainable by banning full time firefighters working nights and having the part time fire fighters, those that live within five minutes of the station, responding to calls between 5pm and 9am.
It says that the savings it will make on not paying full time staff overtime will allow for it to fund 20 new full time fire fighters, of which at least one is set to be based at Spalding, The Voice understands.
As previously reported, when the plans were announced to firefighters, Spalding’s fire crews were told they also would be stopped from working weekends.
However after concerns were raised, a partial U-turn saw them be told they would be able to work 9am to 5pm every day of the week.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive backed the revised proposals which have followed a consultation.
A statement from Coun Alex Mcgonigle to the meeting said it was ‘about making the right resources in the right place at the right time.’
“Our previous duty system was not compliant with working time regulations,” the statement said. “We have a responsibility to our firefighters.
“We cannot expect our crews to provide an emergency service to the public while operating under arrangements that potentially compromise our own health, safety and well-being.
“While the voluntary arrangements in place have worked for us for a number of years, it is simply unsustainable.
“I’m aware concerns have been raised about night time cover.
“We will always have a fire compliance available at each of our whole time locations, supported by our on call fire crews.
“That is an important commitment.
“We are not walking away from communities, we’re strengthening the service that protects them.
“We have a duty to make decisions not just for the fire and rescue service we have today, but for the service Lincolnshire needs in five, ten and 20 years time.”
Coun Rob Gibson said he’d been asked questions about the review and asked if it had been ‘thorough.’
Ryan Stacey, assistant chief fire officer, said the proposals had been worked on for over a year by an outside consultant.
He said not all the data could be shared because any report would be ‘too unwieldy’.
