People living and working in the Bath area are being urged to take extra care to prevent fires and other emergencies after it was announced another firefighter strike is on the way.
In an on-going dispute with the Government over pensions, the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU) said the latest strike would take place “in the coming weeks”.
During the strike action, a skeleton service will operate from six strategic locations across the AF&RS area. Fire cover will be provided in the main by firefighters who are not part of the FBU.
They will work alongside a small number of auxiliary firefighters who have received training to provide basic support to fully qualified crews.
Due to the reduced service AF&RS will be prioritising calls to emergencies where there is a risk to life.
The union’s general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters cannot accept these pension changes as they take no proper account of the real work firefighters do.
“It is outrageous that the only way the government could win a vote on this is by blatantly misleading MPs.”
A spokesman for the Department of Communities and Local Government told the BBC that the strike was “regrettable” and would “damage the reputation of the service”.
They said: “Pension regulations were laid recently in Parliament after extensive consultation and amendment.
“The government recognises the important role firefighters play in keeping the public safe and has worked hard to give them one of the most generous pension schemes in the public sector.”
