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Firefighters receive warning in rest facilities row

15/06/2007

Written warnings have been handed to two Greater Manchester firemen accused of "involvement in the use of unauthorised rest facilities" during night shifts.

At a disciplinary hearing at Bury Fire Station yesterday, two firefighters and a watch manager were rebuked for failing to rest only in £400 reclining chairs installed as an alternative to beds in the conurbation's stations.

A dawn inspection by a team of fire chiefs at the end of May discovered that the officers had been resting on the floor in sleeping bags, contrary to health and safety regulations.

Fire Brigades Union chairman Tim Fensome said that there were no witnesses that either firefighter has done anything wrong and he criticised managers for pressing ahead with disciplinary action.

"We expected a small degree of British common sense. Instead we have been served up another dollop of management nonsense," he added.

Greater Manchester firefighters are permitted three hours' rest during a 15-hour night shift when they are not on emergency call-out, but are not allowed to fall asleep.

Last year it was reported that after the regional force spent £130,000 on the reclining chairs, the crew was banned from sitting on them until a four-page user manual has been read.


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