FBU Report: The Critical Night Period
The Critical Night Period
A report on Brigade proposals to downgrade Windsor
Fire Station at Night
By
Michael Rowley LCGI, LL.B (Hons), PgDip.Law, LL.M
Compiled on behalf of the Windsor Branch of the Fire Brigades Union
Report Structure
1. Introduction.
2. For Better or For Worse?
3. The Station Ground.
4. Terrorist Threat.
5. Draining the Fountain of Knowledge?
6. The Consultancy: Opinion Research Services.
7. Smoke and Mirrors.
8. ‘Spreading the Jam’: East Berkshire at Risk.
9. Spinning out of Control? : The Incident Control Unit.
10. The Thin End of the Wedge?
11. Supporters for maintaining Windsor Fire Station
24/7.
12. The Future: Bleak or Bright?
13. Conclusion.
14. Contact details.
15. Notes.
Introduction
I am a serving operational Firefighter in my 23rd year of service and I
am based at Windsor Fire Station. I am also the Fire Brigades Union Representative
for that Branch.
I hold the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct medal plus the Queen’s
Golden Jubilee Fire Service medal.
I am an Old Windsor resident and have lived within the Royal Borough for
most of my Fire Service career.
For Better or For Worse?
The Fire Service is a potentially dangerous occupation. The reality surrounding
the deaths of four Firefighters in Warwickshire is a solemn reminder
of this fact. To safely undertake our duty to the public we must ensure
that we have the correct resources at all times.
The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service propose to downgrade Windsor Fire Station at night. The Fire Brigades Union believe that this will compromise public and Firefighter safety, not only within Windsor, but east Berkshire.
In the future Windsor Fire Station will be CLOSED at NIGHT.
The Brigade advocates that Slough can cover Windsor at night?
Slough is already the second busiest station within Berkshire. If Slough
is unavailable to cover Windsor, then Langley, Maidenhead or Bracknell
may be utilised – if they are available.
(See below, ‘Spreading the Jam’, for real examples of resources presently
being stretched in east Berkshire).
The attendance times for incidents upon Windsor’s large station ground
will increase if non-local appliances are utilised. Attendance times are absolutely
critical in emergency situations.
The Brigade state that 2,400 people in the Windsor area would get a slower response but ‘13,800 people in the Wokingham area would get an improved level of cover’. This is a misleading turn of phrase since the reality will be that 140,000 people within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead will lose the services of one of their fire stations at night! Furthermore, the operational effectiveness of Cookham Fire Station is to be reduced as a result of the Brigade plans. In the future, they may no longer carry road traffic accident and chemical decontamination equipment.
Brigade resources are clearly stretched, so why did the RBF&RS not produce an Integrated Risk Management Plan which called for more resources?
Furthermore, the Windsor and Eton Relief Road is the main road link from
Slough. This gets extremely congested on the Windsor-bound carriageway
as a result of Monday night racecourse meetings, plus any breakdown, vehicle
fire, road traffic collision, road-works or weather conditions can prevent
or impede Slough attending.
Langley would then be called to Windsor, but could quite easily be detained
by the railway level crossing at Datchet.
Maidenhead could be utilised if available, but at that stage, attendance
times would be dangerous.
Using Ascot for calls in Windsor would be disconcerting too, since Ascot
is a retained (part-time) station. The crews would travel from their homes
or place of work to Ascot, wait to fully crew the appliance and then travel
to Windsor.
The Station Ground
Windsor Fire Station has an expansive station ground. This includes central
Windsor, Dedworth, Fifield, Winkfield, the Great Park, Old Windsor and
south Datchet.
Strategically, the Brigade class Windsor Castle as a ‘Special Risk’ within the county. (1) The Monarch resides within the Castle, which is the largest inhabited castle in the world. As a result of this attraction, tourism swells the number of visitors in Windsor to seven million per year. Numerous hotels and guest houses support such and present a sleeping risk to the fire service. (2) Visitor numbers also increase as a result of State visits (3), Royal Family (4) and celebrity events (5), plus others such as Frogmore Gardens, the Horse Show (6) and Dog Show, etc.
Legoland is now classed as the #1 tourist attraction for foreign visitors. It has also previously been heralded as the #1 UK tourist attraction. (7) The visitor numbers add to those visiting the Castle.
Windsor Race meetings attract thousands more visitors with the attendant traffic problems. Windsor also attends calls to Ascot Racecourse and form part of the Brigade strategy plan for the Royal Ascot event.
Within the Windsor station ground there are over 900 historic buildings. Examples of such include the Guildhall, Market Cross House (the ‘Crooked House’), Cumberland Lodge, the Theatre Royal, the Harte and Garter Hotel, etc. (8)
There are two large army posts within Windsor: Combermere and Victoria barracks. (9) (10)
Windsor has 2 shopping centres, the newly developed King Edward Court (with the new Travelodge Hotel) plus the Windsor Royal Station shopping complex. (11)
There are 2 train stations in Windsor. Central uses diesel locomotives and Riverside uses high voltage locomotives. (12)
Princess Margaret Hospital and King Edward Hospital are within central Windsor’s area. Windsor also backs up calls to Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot and Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.
The river Thames is a very busy thoroughfare used extensively by tourists and locals. Numerous types of craft pass through the area. Currents are particularly strong at bridges and weirs. (13)
There are several yacht basins, marinas and berthing
points on Windsor’s
ground: The Windsor Racecourse Yacht Basin, Windsor Marina, plus a further
2 locations in Old Windsor and a jetty in south Datchet.
Windsor Fire Station took part in the National Boat Safety Week in 2007.
(14)
As far as new developments are concerned, Windsor has seen a phenomenal increase in every borough. As a result, the official population has increased. Our Slough neighbours have encountered hidden immigration factors which will no doubt be of significance in Windsor too, due to the number of employment positions relating to the tourism and leisure trade. (15)
Regarding caravan parks, there are a number upon the station ground which includes Tinkers Lane and The Willows in Windsor, Newtonside Orchard in Old Windsor and Cranbourne Hall in Winkfield. (16)
The station ground holds a large number of schools, plus elderly care homes. (17)
The entertainments complex in William Street, Windsor contains 2 large
bars and Liquids nightclub. That area can easily contain over 3000 revellers.
A new restaurant has been started up in Victoria Street, which is part
of the same building. The office block upon the corner of William Street
and Victoria Street is also multi-occupied.
All of these premises share a very complex fire alarm detection system.
Regarding Road Traffic Collisions, there are 4 ‘black spots’ within Windsor’s ground. These are Sheet Street Road in the Great Park, Oakley Green Road in Windsor, Drift Road in Winkfield, plus the Windsor and Eton Relief Road which is the main transport artery into the town. (18)
There are 5 high rise dwellings within Windsor. Four are within Sawyers Close and another within Ward Royal, Windsor. The latter houses elderly persons exclusively. (19)
Windsor has one football ground at Stag Meadow, plus a large swimming complex in Stowell Road.
There are 3 industrial estates on the station ground. One in Dedworth Road, the Vansittart Estate and another at Straight Road, Old Windsor.
There are numerous farms upon Windsor’s ground. Incidents can relate to field fires, the movement of agricultural machinery, the storage of chemicals and the unpredictability of livestock and racehorses. (20)
Terrorist Threat.
Following 9/11, Windsor Castle enhanced its security profile and also constructed
a ‘wall of steel’ around the perimeter of the grounds. The threat of
terrorism is perceived to be real.
The town also has 2 Barracks which are well aware of the threat of terrorist action. Combermere Barracks is a particular concern, since Princes William and Harry have been stationed there.
Stringent security measures are undertaken on a daily basis prior to the Changing of the Guard ceremony to and from Victoria Barracks.
Car bomb attacks recently occurred within London and also Glasgow Airport
The former ODPM (Now the Department for Communities and Local Government) has spent millions of pounds on ‘New Dimension’ Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear equipment for the Fire Service.
Yet all of this seems at odds with Brigade proposals to diminish fire cover at night in such a vulnerable area.
Draining the Fountain of Knowledge?
If Windsor Fire Station is downgraded at night, the residents of its station
ground will lose valuable intangible assets, such as the knowledge
and experience of local firefighters, which cannot be replaced
by technology alone.
Awareness of the station ground is built into the extensive experience
of local firefighters who may be subsequently deployed to Wokingham at
night.
Short-cuts, familiarity with buildings, shop names, local names, old names,
and unlisted streets will all be gone. (It will be extremely difficult
to locate obscure addresses such as Sun Passage, Chariots Place, Mellor
Walk and Perimeter Road on any modern map of central Windsor).
I previously alluded to the bars and clubs in William Street, Windsor
which can hold over 3000 revellers. The Minton Place offices, Chicago Rock
Café, Wetherspoons Bar and Liquids Nightclub all have their own fire alarm
panels. However, they are all inter-linked to the main panel which is situated
behind 2 means of security within the car-park attendants’ office!
(Please note that the London car bomb incident referred to above was intended
to be activated as a nightclub closed)
Only local firefighters would have the knowledge to be able to deal with situations like that.
The Consultancy: Opinion Research Services.
Opinion Research Services have been employed by the Royal Berkshire Fire
and Rescue Service to achieve savings within the organisation.
This is a private company, which has no direct connection to the fire
service and is estimated to be paid £60,000 to achieve savings using Brigade
statistics which Royal Berkshire are perfectly capable of collating and
interpreting. Of course, the first saving ORS had to achieve was their
estimated £60,000 fee?
Furthermore, ORS have only sought the route of downgrading Windsor Fire
Station, but have failed to consider other options such as a new smaller
fire station site within Windsor, or selling off part of the existing site
and upgrading the present station. Their modus operandi is therefore
destructive, not constructive.
This professional company refers to ‘fire engines’ within its subsequent ill- advertised ‘public consultation presentations’, giving the impression of a degree of naivety surrounding the modern Fire Service? This is most disconcerting, given the nature of the proposals.
Of greater concern, is the nature in which they have misled people in an attempt to justify their notions for downgrading Windsor Fire Station. (See below)
Smoke and Mirrors.
In an attempt to achieve their objectives the consultancy, ORS, have significantly
‘dumbed down’, underplayed and manipulated the statistics regarding Windsor
Fire Station during their ill-advertised ‘public consultation’ process.
ORS maintain that Windsor has ‘3 night calls per week’, yet fail to substantiate that claim with evidence. Indeed a ‘selling point’ for downgrading Windsor at night comes with the assertion that ‘Slough would only need to do 3 night calls per week into Windsor’.
The cold reality is somewhat different, since all calls are accurately entered within the Occurrence Logs at Windsor Fire Station. (As duplicated by Brigade Control and Vehicle Log Books respectively).
The ORS data contains certain anomalies:
1. The ORS ‘call average per week’ for
night duties equates to 156 per year.
This fails to accord with the tally maintained within the official Windsor
Fire Station Occurrence Logs (As backed up by Brigade Control records and
Vehicle Log Books):
(a).For the period April 2005 to April 2006 the station
occurrence logs record 409 night duty calls.
(b).For the period April 2006 to April 2007 the station
occurrence logs record 447 night duty calls.
2. ORS take their night data from a
somewhat arbitrary and artificial night shift of 20-00 hours to 08-00 hours.
The Brigade night shift is actually longer (18-00 to 09-00 hours) hence
busier. ORS have consistently failed to demonstrate the duration of the
present night duty.
3. ORS take data which only refers to night calls in Windsor. However, the station ground is much bigger and includes Dedworth, Fifield, Winkfield, the Great Park, Old Windsor and south Datchet.
4. ORS fail to take into consideration the burden upon fire service resources in east Berkshire if Windsor is taken out of the equation by night-time downgrading. For example, from April 2006 to April 2007, Windsor backed up Slough 170 times, plus Langley 69 times. Windsor also backs up Ascot, Maidenhead and Bracknell upon a regular basis. ORS discount this data and only focus upon calls to Windsor’s ‘own area’.
5. ORS have not taken into consideration the potential for a terrorist incident at Windsor Castle, Combermere Barracks or Victoria Barracks.
Ironically the Brigade state ‘We have no reason to doubt what is in the
station logs’, (In a Brigade missive dated 10 July 2007 which, was circulated
by the Fire Authority Chair)
Yet, the Marketing Research Society, quoting ORS state: ‘The member stated
that the station occurrence log is inaccurate as a record of emergency
calls.’ (20 July 2007)
There appears to be a divergence of opinion here?
Now, for the precise statistics relating to Windsor Fire Station as directly sourced from the station Occurrence Logs:…
April 2006 to April 2007
NIGHT duty calls (18-00 to 09-00 hours).
April
01,02,05,05,05,06,08,08,08,09,09,09,11,12,14,15,15,15,16,17,19,20,20,22,22,22,24,25,27,27,27,28,28,30.
(Total=34)
May
01,02,03,03,06,07,07,07,07,08,08,09,09,11,13,13,14,14,16,17,17,18,18,20,21,22,22,22,23,24,26,26,30,30,31,31,31,31.
(Total=38)
June
01,01,01,02,02,02,03,03,03,04,04,05,05,07,07,08,09,09,09,09,09,11,11,11,11,11,12,12,15,16,16,19,20,21,21,22,22,22,23,25,26,27,27,28,28,28,30.
(Total=47)
July
01,01,02,05,05,06,07,07,09,10,10,11,11,12,12,12,12,13,13,13,14,15,16,16,17,17,18,18,19,19,19,19,20,20,20,21,22,22,23,23,24,24,24,25,25,25,26,26,28,
29,29,29,30,31. (Total=54)
August
03,03,03,04,04,05,05,05,05,05,05,06,07,07,08,08,10,11,11,11,12,12,13,15,16,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24,25,25,26,26,26,28,29,31,31,31.
(Total=43)
September
01,02,03,03,05,06,06,07,07,07,08,09,10,10,11,12,12,15,15,16,19,19,19,21,22,23,23,24,24,25,25,25,25,29,29.
(Total=35)
October
02,02,03,04,05,06,08,08,08,10,11,11,15,15,18,18,18,18,19,19,19,20,21,21,22,23,24,26,26,27,28,28,28,29,29.
(Total=35)
November
02,03,03,04,04,04,04,05,05,07,07,10,11,11,13,14,16,17,17,17,17,19,23,25,27,27,30.
(Total=27)
December
01,03,04,05,05,06,06,09,11,11,12,13,15,15,16,17,19,20,21,22,22,22,23,24,25,25,25,26,26,28,28,28,28,29,29,31.
(Total=36)
January
02,02,03,05,05,06,06,06,07,08,09,10,11,12,14,14,14,14,15,15,15,15,16,16,19,20,22,23,23,24,25,25,25,26,27,28,29,30.
(Total=38)
February 01,03,03,04,04,05,06,06,07,10,14,14,16,17,18,18,18,19,20,25,25,26,26,27,28,28.
(Total=26)
March
01,02,02,07,08,09,10,11,11,13,13,14,14,14,15,15,15,16,16,17,17,18,19,21,23,24,25,26,27,27,28,30,31,31.(Total=34)
Total NIGHT Calls for 2006-2007= 447
(Compare with the ORS assertion of 156 per annum?)
April 2005 to April 2006
NIGHT duty calls (18-00 to 09-00 hours).
April
01,01,03,04,04,05,05,06,09,11,11,11,13,15,16,19,19,20,20,20,20,21,22,23,23,23,24,24,25,25,25,27,28,29.
(Total=34)
May
01,04,04,05,05,06,07,08,08,10,11,12,12,13,13,14,15,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,21,21,26,26,26,27,27,27,27,28,28,28,29,30,30,30,31,31,31.
(Total=43)
June
01,03,03,03,06,07,07,08,08,08,09,10,12,12,13,14,15,15,16,18,18,18,18,19,20,20,20,22,22,22,22,23,23,23,23,23,24,24,25,25,28,28,29,29.
(Total=44)
July
01,01,02,02,03,04,04,05,05,07,07,08,09,09,09,11,11,11,11,11,12,13,14,14,15,16,16,17,17,17,17,18,19,20,20,20,20,21,22,23,24,24,25,26,26,28,28,29,29,30,30,
31. (Total=52)
August
04,04,06,06,07,07,07,08,09,10,10,12,12,12,13,15,16,16,18,19,19,20,22,23,23,26,26,27,28,28,28,30,31,31.
(Total=34)
September
01,01,02,03,04,04,04,04,04,05,06,09,10,11,12,14,14,15,15,17,17,22,24,25,28,28,29,29,30.
(Total=29)
October
01,01,01,02,02,02,03,03,05,05,06,07,08,10,11,11,13,13,13,15,16,17,18,19,19,21,22,22,24,24,26,26,27,28,28,28,29,31.
(Total= 38)
November
02,02,04,05,08,10,10,10,11,13,14,14,17,19,22,22,22,27,27,27,27,28,28,30,30.
(Total=25)
December
03,03,04,04,04,05,07,07,07,09,09,10,10,11,13,14,15,16,16,16,17,17,19,19,20,21,21,21,24,25,26,30,30.
(Total=33)
January
01,03,03,05,06,06,07,10,11,12,12,12,13,14,14,15,17,18,18,19,20,22,23,24,25,25,26,26,26,28,29,30,31,31.
(Total=34)
February
02,05,05,05,06,07,07,08,09,09,10,11,13,16,19,21,24,24,24,25,26,28. (Total=22)
March
01,01,07,10,11,12,14,15,15,16,18,18,18,19,22,23,23,28,30,31,31. (Total=21)
Total NIGHT Calls for 2005-2006= 409
(Compare with the ORS assertion of 156 per annum?)
My formal complaint about Opinion Research Services…
As a result of the aforementioned practices, I wrote to the seemingly professional
body to which ORS belong –the Market Research Society.
As you will observe from my e-mail to the Director General (dated 10 October
2007), they were incompetent, evasive and ineffective during the investigation
of my complaint. MRS now refuses to respond to any of my communications!
Dear Mr Barr,
Complaint: Mr Dale Hall, Opinion Research Services (ORS)
As you are aware, the above member made distinct representations relating
to a matter which will affect public and firefighter safety, namely the
night closure of Windsor Fire Station. You will undoubtedly be aware of
the effects of cutbacks if you have observed media footage of the fatal
Newquay hotel blaze?
Your member maintained that ‘Windsor only received 3 night calls per week’
(156 per annum). I have categorically proven to your organization that
Windsor Fire Station received 447 night calls in the period 2006-07 and
409 night calls in the period 2005-06. As a result of your members’ claims,
public and firefighter safety will now be compromised within east Berkshire,
since the station will close at night from 2008.
Perversely, you failed to uphold my complaint and even took into consideration
materials furnished by your member which I was not permitted to
see. Your member refused permission for a long time to allow me access
to such documents, by which time your decision had been made?! MRS has
also consistently failed to confirm or deny whether the employee dealing
with my complaint had telephone communications with your member during
the course of the investigation, which were taken into consideration. I
would not therefore, have any opportunity to contest the statements made.
Even before the decision was made, your member informed the Fire Authority
that he ‘expected to be cleared’!
The subsequent appeal was merely an in–house damage limitation exercise
held by an ‘independent’ reviewer of complaints who is paid by…MRS? Who
would bite the hand that feeds them? I have repeatedly asked Mr Ryan exactly
how much the ‘independent’ reviewer of complaints was paid. Mr Ryan refuses
to answer that question and others –information which I required before
taking his advised route of raising the matter with Mr Rowland Lloyd.
Yet another unanswered question relates to the number of other complaints
made against your member. I am an operational Firefighter and trade union
official dealing with a serious matter relating to public safety. Why should
information relating to this member be with-held?
The initial complaint decision should be rescinded by MRS as this was perverse
and procedurally flawed. Should MRS continue to harbour questionable members
then their reputation too will be tarnished.
Mr Barr, you and Mr Ryan have continually attempted to evade and ignore
me and shield a very poor complaint investigation by your organization.
The time is well overdue to correct matters.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Rowley LCGI, LL.B (Hons), PgDip.Law, LL.M
Copies: File x1, JH, RT, AH, Lord Strobes, Fire Brigades Union, Information
Commissioner, FBU.
‘Spreading the Jam’: East Berkshire at Risk.
The Chief Fire Officer has been quoted within the Windsor Express newspaper
as saying, ‘I have to spread the jam across Berkshire.’ This is regarding
resource allocation, inclusive of the proposed downgrading of Windsor
Fire Station at night.
However, as you may observe from the examples below, spreading the jam too thinly can be very dangerous when it comes to the emergency services…
On the night of the 05 May, Sloughs two appliances were called to a house
fire in which persons were believed to be trapped. Langley was then called
to cover at Slough Fire Station. Langley then received a call to another
house fire in Cippenham and was supported by Maidenhead.
Windsor was then called to cover at Slough: They were then covering
the whole of Windsor, Langley, Slough and Maidenhead. (Consider
the total population of these areas?)
Then, Windsor was called to a vehicle fire in Burnham.
On the night of the 14 May there was a severe house fire in Stoke Road, Slough. Again this was a ‘persons reported’ fire. All 3 of Sloughs appliances (2 tenders and the aerial platform), Langley, Windsor and Maidenhead attended.
Furthermore, on 20 July 2007, heavy rainfall caused substantial flooding
throughout Windsor. On the night duty at 07-47 hours, the Windsor crew
were sent to flooding in Dorset Road. Whilst attending this incident, a
‘running call’ to the fire station was made by a local resident at 08-00.
The resident reported severe flooding at Grove Road - a location very close
by.
Unfortunately, at that time, there were no appliances available for
this incident which was within the abode of 2 Royal Borough councillors.
(Windsor firefighters were later sent to flooding at Clarence Road, Dedworth
Road and Duke Street)
Yet again, the events of the afternoon of 18 July 2007 highlight the situation;
Slough and Langley appliances were committed to an incident, so Windsor
were called at 16-54 hours to a separate incident at Penzance Spur, Britwell.
(Incomplete call from a child)
After dealing with this call, Control ordered the Windsor appliance to
standby at Slough at 17-13 hours.
Windsor then picked up a further call at 17-37 hours to Cecil Way, Britwell.
The caller was a young mother who had locked herself out of her home, leaving
her 1 year old baby inside and unattended.
If Windsor frequently covers the busy Slough ground in addition to their
expansive area, the question begs asking as to how Slough is going to
cover Windsor at night-if that particular Brigade proposal is adopted?
There have been a number of car fires attended by WINDSOR Firefighters
this September:
16 September - Flemish Farm Road.
20 September - Longmead, Dedworth.
21 September - Tinkers Lane, Dedworth.
23 September - Meadow Lane, Eton.
24 September - Camm Close, Dedworth. (2 vehicles).
25 September - Winfield Plain, nr. Drift Road.
29 September – Maidenhead Road/ Smiths Lane, Dedworth.
ALL of the above vehicle fires occurred during the critical night
period.
If Windsor is closed at night, Slough would have had to attend
these incidents (if available). In that scenario, both Slough and Windsor
would have had a reduced fire cover whilst these incidents were
being dealt with.
More recently, amongst many such examples I could give of Windsor backing
up Slough, are the following:
09 October 3 Hawkes Close, SLOUGH.
09 October Windsor cover at SLOUGH (Standby).
10 October Upton Hospital, Albert Street, SLOUGH.
10 October Windsor cover at SLOUGH (Standby).
10 October Canterbury Avenue, SLOUGH.
12 October ICI, SLOUGH.
You can quite easily see how resources are stretched? Now imagine the above incidents WITHOUT Windsor?
Within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, there are 140,000
residents. The Brigade plan to close Windsor at night, so there will be
one less appliance based within the Royal Borough.
To exacerbate matters, the Brigade is experiencing difficulties with the
retained service at Maidenhead. In a Brigade recruitment leaflet entitled,
‘Maidenhead AT RISK’, it is stated, ‘Because of a shortage of firefighters,
there are often times when your local fire engines are not available to
respond to emergency calls.’
If you live in east Berkshire, the decision to close Windsor Fire Station at night WILL affect YOU.
At present, there are only 10 whole-time stations within Berkshire. The remaining 10 are retained and therefore subject to problems relating to crew availability and turnout times.
Spinning Out of Control? : The Incident Control Unit
In addition to the front-line tender, Windsor also operates the Incident
Control Unit (ICU).
This complex appliance is used at large incidents involving 5 tenders
or more. It is used for command and control purposes, implementing a safe
system of work, namely the incident control system (ICS).
Examples of use at high profile incidents include the Upton Nervet rail
crash, the Windsor Castle fire, plus a recent factory blaze upon the Slough
Trading Estate.
As a preliminary to downgrading Windsor Fire Station, the Brigade have arranged for this appliance to be relocated to Maidenhead in the future. It would then be switch-crewed with retained (part-time) firefighters who usually crew a front line tender only.
Since this decision has been made, it has also been decided that the ICU appliance should be totally replaced and updated with the latest technical equipment, such as inter-linked computers, large touch screens, satellite communications, media facilitating, 3G technology and thermal imaging cameras, etc, etc.
Unfortunately, this proposal has serious defects:
1. The experience and knowledge of the whole-time crew
at Windsor will be totally lost following the appliance transfer to Maidenhead.
2. The retained (part-time) firefighters at Maidenhead will have to maintain their competency upon this highly technical appliance in addition to the skills required to use the equipment upon their front line tender. All this has to be achieved during one 3 hour training session on Monday evenings, plus detailed standard testing and logging upon an immense range of equipment.
3. If the retained do receive a call on the ICU then
their front line appliance will be unavailable. Therefore with Windsor
appliance out of the equation at night, east Berkshire will be diminished
by 2 front line appliances.
In a Brigade retained Firefighter recruitment leaflet entitled, ‘Maidenhead
AT RISK’, it is stated, ‘Because of a shortage of firefighters, there are often
times when your local fire engines are not available to
respond to emergency calls.’ (My emphasis).
Yet the Brigade proposes to remove night cover at Windsor AND move the
important ICU to Maidenhead where the ICU and the retained appliance may
not be available due to crew shortages?
The Brigade boldly assert that, ’There is no indication that RDS crews
cannot maintain their competence for the ICU.’
However, as previously mentioned, the retained (RDS) crews will have to
maintain their competencies upon both their front line appliance
and the highly technical, Incident Control Unit (ICU).
My retained colleagues train for only 3 hours on a Monday evening.
In addition to the front line appliance skills and procedures they must
also undertake ICU training. During that period they must also standard
test all their equipment.
The Brigade has previously recognised the dangers arising from a lack of
training and has therefore placed stringent limitations upon retained firefighters
using Working at Height Equipment which is carried on all front line appliances.
Yet the Brigade wishes to add the complex new ICU to the retained equation?
Will the safe system of work as expounded by the Incident Control system
be compromised?
Finally, by their own admission the Brigade point out that, ‘RDS can have difficulties crewing…’ But surely Firefighters are an urgently required service?
The Thin End of the Wedge?
Windsor Fire Station occupies a prime area of real estate in central Windsor.
As previously mentioned, Windsor is rife with new developments. Indeed
the East Berkshire College which previously adjoined the station, sold
a large chunk of land to developers. The same developers also attempted
to purchase the former fire service homes in Hawtree Road. The occupants
were offered £450,000 each for their modest properties.
Undoubtedly the same developers were after the Fire Station site too, but this went awry when the Fire Authority voted against Brigade plans to totally close the station.
More recently, 2 x £500,000 homes have been flattened –right next to the Fire Station in St Marks Road. New homes are now being built on that site. Do the math – Windsor land is valuable.
However, the latest proposals to downgrade Windsor Fire Station at night may represent the thin end of the wedge, with an eye to selling the site at some point in the future for £££ millions?
The FBU are perplexed that the Brigade has failed to seriously consider viable alternative options for Windsor Fire Station, such as relocation to a different area of the town or selling off a percentage of the present site and building a more compact fire station.
Supporters for maintaining Windsor Fire Station 24/7
HRH Her Majesty the Queen is aware of the issues and although constitutionally
bound, arranged for my correspondence to be forwarded to the government
department responsible for the fire service.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh has sent his ‘best wishes’ for the campaign.
HRH The Duke of York has sent his ‘best wishes and best of luck’ with the campaign.
Adam Afriyie, MP for Windsor.
ALL Royal Borough Councillors.
David Lunn, Chief Executive for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
David Burbage, Leader of the Council.
Councillor Christine Bateson, Fire Authority Member.
Richard Coates, former Chief Fire Officer
The Fire Brigades Union
The Windsor District Chamber of Trade.
The Windsor Express Newspaper.
The Windsor Observer Newspaper
The Windsor Pub Watch Scheme
Legoland, Windsor.
The Sir Christopher Wren Hotel, Windsor.
West Windsor Residents Association
Ward Royal Residents Association
Sawyers Close Residents Association.
Former Leader of the Council and Fire Authority member, Mary Rose Gliksten has been a figurehead within this campaign. Along with Anthony Wood, the Liberal Democrats collected over 8000 signatures upon a petition to save the Fire station.
During the course of this campaign, the local press has printed dozens of letters of support from local residents. Some have directly needed the fire service, others appreciate our essential work.
Many concerned residents have visited Windsor Fire Station to offer support.
Outside of station, crews have repeatedly been approached by residents and local employees, who expressed their gratitude for the work that we do and a desire to see Windsor Fire Station crewed 24/7.
The Future: Bleak or Bright?
To look at the future we must first examine the past: In 1987 the Brigade
made cutbacks and scrapped the retained Firefighting appliances at both
Windsor and Slough. In 1992, Windsor Castle incurred a major blaze resulting
in millions of pounds worth of damage. Now the Brigade wishes to close
Windsor Fire Station at night? Will history repeat itself?
Recently, I have spoken my Control Room colleagues at our HQ in Reading.
They are Fire Brigades Union members. They say that Windsor’s appliance
is the ‘glue that holds east Berkshire together’ since it is frequently
called to other station areas. They have grave concerns regarding the night
time closure of Windsor and the ramifications for fire cover.
Further concern was expressed about the prospect of Regional Control Centres
in conjunction with the absence of Windsor in east Berkshire. In England,
it is proposed that the present 46 control rooms will be replaced by just
9 Regional Control Centres. In operation, the Regional Control Centres
would send the nearest available appliance to an incident, which
in Sloughs case, would mean that they would be attending more calls within
South Buckinghamshire. This would be in addition to their own ground –
and that of Windsor whom Slough (in theory) would be covering at night?
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has recently announced that it will commence a judicial review at the High Court concerning the Brigades decision to close Windsor Fire Station at night. If any aspect of the Brigade decision is deemed unlawful, the plan will have to be scrapped.
Conclusion:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading this lengthy
document. However, the detail was imperative to give you the full and
clear facts surrounding the proposal to downgrade Windsor Fire Station
at night.
It is noteworthy that following the Fire Authority decision to close Windsor Fire Station at night, an Executive Member of that Fire Authority visited Blue Watch at the Station. The member was asked why he voted to close the station and his response totally shocked the crew: He clearly stated that he had ‘only been on the Fire Authority for 2 months and knew absolutely nothing about the Fire Brigade.’ He added that he merely ‘accepted Brigade advice’ –without having taken into consideration any other materials supporting the need to keep Windsor Fire Station 24/7. We sincerely hope that the views of Firefighters and members of the public are given greater consideration in the future.
It is essential that public and Firefighter safety is not compromised in Windsor and east Berkshire.
The Fire Authority decision must be rescinded.
Contact details:
Michael Rowley LCGI, LL.B (Hons), PgDip.Law , LL.M
Fire Brigades Union Branch Secretary
The Fire Station
St Marks Road,
Windsor
Berkshire
SL4 3BE
Tel (01628) 771013
Home Address:
30C Albany Road
Old Windsor
Berkshire
SL4 2QA
Private E-mail: michaelrowley@talk21.com
Campaign website: www.windsorfirestation.co.uk
(Please note that the Brigade disabled access to this website in EVERY Fire Station within Berkshire in October 2007, despite the Brigade Charter emphasising that, ‘Every employee should be listened to –no matter how tough the message’!)
Notes:
1. In 1992 Windsor Castle incurred a ‘major conflagration’
as described by Prince Charles. The incident drew global publicity. It
is noteworthy that Windsor Castle no longer retains operational
firefighters: Windsor Fire Station will be the primary appliance to any
incident.
Frogmore House, the stately residence of Queen Victoria, located within the grounds of Windsor Castle, suffered a basement fire one New Years Day in the 1990’s: Windsor Firefighters were first in attendance. They quickly fought the blaze, saving millions of pounds worth of historic artefacts.
2. This year, a serious fire occurred at night within the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel. Windsor was first on the scene and 3 rescues were carried out.
The new Travel Lodge has just opened in King Edward Court with 125 rooms.
The former Caley’s department store in the High Street is to become a 129
roomed hotel. Work has commenced on building a new hotel in Victoria Street.
The Harte and Garter Hotel has recently undergone a multi-million £££ refit.
Over 7 million tourists visit Windsor each year, and at least 10% stay
overnight.
The fatal fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay this year highlights
the dangers of Fire Service cutbacks.
3. An example of a State Visit was that of the King of Spain
to Windsor.
4. The marriages of Princes Charles and Prince Andrew. The funerals of The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
5. The civil marriage at Windsor Guildhall for Sir Elton John.
6. Windsor firefighters have attended incidents at the Royal Windsor Horse Show including a caravan fire and a fire in a wooden stand.
7. Legoland: Windsor Firefighters have attended a number
of incidents within this major tourist attraction, including a building
fire this year which occurred during the night.
On 01 October 2007 another large fire occurred in a storage building at
Legoland. Inside were 800 litres of chlorine and 800 litres of hydrochloric
acid. 2000 visitors were evacuated. Seven appliances were utilised.
8. Due to their complexity and construction, the Theatre Royal and the Harte and Garter Hotel are classified as specific ‘risks’ by the Brigade and operational contingency plans compiled.
9. In 2000 Combermere Barracks suffered a serious night-time blaze which destroyed the Stores area and nearly spread to an adjacent block of flats.
10. Windsor Firefighters have also attended serious incidents within Victoria Barrracks including a blaze in the locker rooms. More recently, in October 2007 Windsor Firefighters attended a fire within a kitchen fryer.
11. There are frequent calls to the shops in Windsor. One of the most serious incidents was a fire in the basement of John Goodwin, in Peascod Street which caused extensive damage.
12. The tracks of Windsor Riverside Station have been the scene of many fatalities over the years as a result of persons coming into contact with the ‘live’ electrical rail.
13. In early 2007, Windsor Firefighters were called to
an incident by the Windsor and Eton Bridge. This occurred at night when
a pedestrian had stumbled and fallen into the Thames. Unfortunately due
to the water temperature and current strength, he died.
A few years previously, Firefighter Andrew Ferguson, stationed at Windsor,
received a commendation for rescuing 2 army canoeists’ who had become trapped
by the weir.
14. On 02 June this year, a fuel fire on board a boat at Romney Lock, Windsor, caused severe burns to 2 adults and 2 children
15. Source: BBC Television news. In a report dated 30 October 2007, it was stated that the population of Slough may include 10,000 to 20,000 more people than official statistics demonstrate. This will of course place a strain on available resources.
16. In 2005, Windsor Firefighters rescued a man from a fire at night within his caravan at the Tinkers Road Caravan site, Windsor.
17. This year, Windsor Firefighters rescued a 102 year old man in the evening at a retirement flat in Green Lane. The resident had forgotten about his cooking. He was hospitalised and returned home the next day.
18. There are many examples of Road Traffic Collisions
on Windsor’s ground, but time and space do not permit a full account:
This year, a vehicle carrying 2 young children burst into flames following
a RTC with another vehicle. This occurred on the southbound carriageway
of the Windsor Relief Road and caused long tailbacks (Delaying the back-up
from Slough). Windsor Firefighters secured the scene safety, extinguished
the blaze and administered first aid.
At another incident in Windsor Great Park, an 8 months pregnant car traveller
received injuries following a RTC with a motorbike. The rider had sustained
a broken collar bone. Windsor Firefighters were first on the scene of this
incident
Generally, road traffic collisions tend to be more serious at night due
to darkness and alcohol consumption, which can be exacerbating factors.
19. Windsor Firefighters rescued an elderly lady who
had become overcome by smoke within her upper floor flat at Bowes Lyon
Close, Ward Royal.
Windsor Firefighters are also frequently called to the Sawyers Close Flats
on the Maidenhead Road. In May this year, arsonists set the bins alight
within the rubbish chute area at night. Smoke then drifted up to the landings
of each floor which greatly concerned residents.
20. Members of the Royal family personally helped to
restrain and evacuate startled polo ponies and horses following a severe
fire within the Grooms accommodation block at the Guards Polo Club, Flemish
Farm, Windsor.
This incident attracted media national attention.
The recent national outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease and Blue Tongue were factors which affected fire service operations within Windsor.
This report is dated 10 November 2007.
The Copper Horse monument within Windsor Great Park.
From here, the expansive fire station ground can be seen in its entirety: Central Windsor, West Windsor, Fifield, Winkfield, Windsor Great Park, Old Windsor and south Datchet.
Casting the eye even further afar, are other areas in which Windsor crews
regularly provide back up: Slough, Langley, Datchet, Maidenhead, Ascot
and Bracknell.