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Please remember that any and all formal requests for advice must be made through the structures of the union, i.e. to your regional officials and EC member. Under FBU rules, every FBU Brigade Committee must have a negotiating committee in place. In addition, it is the duty of every regional committee to: ‘supervise the conduct of negotiations within its territory in accordance with the policy of the Union. In cases in which the policy on matters to be negotiated has not been determined by Conference or by the Executive Council it shall be the duty of the Regional Committee to refer such matters to the Executive Council for guidance.’

Therefore this facility should not be used to seek formal advice or input into negotiations which are properly the matter of regional committee oversight.

This is an official FBU facility, so all the values & standards of conduct expected by the union apply. Anyone found to be misusing this site or undertaking activities such as canvassing, could be made the subject of sanctions.

Recent questions and answers

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I am assisting a member who is potentially facing ill health retirement despite believing that they and their treating doctor are of the opinion that the firefighter is fit for operational duty. The service are refusing to allow this firefighter to return to duty on the ... go about requesting an IMO? 2. Can the service attempt to dismiss the firefighter before or during this process? Thank you.
asked Jan 2 in Health and Safety MattSenior 120 points
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Good afternoon comrades, asking on behalf of Norfolk FBU who are looking to find out if any services have live policies on operational firefighters wearing hearing aids. If you are to share these policies, I'd be grateful. in unity Rebecca Lewington ([email protected])
asked Nov 14, 2024 in Health and Safety R9Lewi 160 points
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Have any of your brigades removed guidelines? If so, how have you implemented it to ensure firefighter safety is maintained?
answered Oct 17, 2024 in Operational Firefighter1 280 points
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Good afternoon Comrades, Do any brigades that have individual study/bedrooms utilise turn out systems that are appliance specific meaning only those FF`s required are disturbed through the night? I am told these types of systems do exist throughout the UK FRS If you have any information your assistance would be welcomed. In Unity Dave Pike GM Brigade Secretary
answered Oct 17, 2024 in Health and Safety Firefighter1 280 points
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In Scotland we are still working with phase 1 ventilation only, one the fire has been extinguished. Prior to the creation of the Single Scottish Service, in Grampian, we were quite advanced with our tac vent but it became a bit of a race to the bottom in Scotland and has never really progressed. What phases are used within your brigades/services? Cheers Scott
answered Oct 17, 2024 in Health and Safety Firefighter1 280 points
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Has anyone drafted a letter asking for 52 weeks maternity pay, if they have could you share please [email protected]
asked Sep 11, 2024 in Pay ChrisKemp9810 180 points
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In relation to the Maternity pay increase to 26 weeks from the 2024 pay award the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have implemented this to apply to women commencing maternity leave on or after 1 July 2024. Are there any FRSs that have implemented this differently? i. ... 1 July and receiving 26 weeks? (with the exception of the FRSs that have already increased beyond 26 weeks) thanks in advance.
answered Sep 4, 2024 in Pay sammiller 180 points
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Does anyone have a additional responsibility allowance or any extra payment for blue light pump driving, if so could you tell me how much and forward your policy please. In unity. [email protected]
answered Sep 3, 2024 in Pay John McKenzie 310 points
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I wonder if we could collate questions for Anna, as there are unanswered questions regarding base layers being contaminated and their washing procedure for BA instructors too. Could this be raised at national H&S meetings?
asked Feb 10, 2024 in Health and Safety Pippa9867 180 points
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Is there a minimum flow rate for showers to ensure members can DECON properly after exposures at incidents? We’re in the process of getting better shower pressure to ensure members are showering after incidents and BA training, but the question has been asked about the minimum flow rate. Many thanks.
answered Jan 12, 2024 in Health and Safety ScottMacRory-Region1 250 points
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Good Morning All, In Scotland, we are seeing the decommissioning/removal of Local Exhaust Ventilation systems once they reach end of life or are deemed uneconomical to repair. There was a period of air quality monitoring done back in 2018 and the results ... greatest deal of concern. Keen to hear how things are done elsewhere. Cheers Scott MacRory Regional H&S Representative Region 1 - Scotland
answered Jan 4, 2024 in Health and Safety Sid 440 points
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Could you please get in touch in relation to how your brigade interprets the Grey Book 20% allowance for FDO's i.e. is this classed as a retainer type allowance for FDO's being available out with working hours on SBY days and no additional payments/time ... (monitoring and turnouts) within SBY days and have procedures in place FDO's can claim back time? Many thanks in advance comrades!
answered Dec 18, 2023 in Terms & Conditions Amanda 140 points
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I’m looking for examples and policies relating to operational firefighters who have a diagnosis of epilepsy. Policies can be sent to me at [email protected] In unity, Dan.
asked Aug 9, 2023 in Equality Dan Carter 960 points
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We currently use Survey Monkey to conduct member surveys and get feedback/evidence, but it’s becoming quite expensive. Survey Sparrow is an alternative, but is there one the FBU or other brigades have used and could recommend? Many thanks.
answered Aug 3, 2023 in Organising Tam McFarlane 2.0k points
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Good Morning Comrades, In Scotland we have seen a rise this year, in our BA sets failing, often due to air leaking from the first stage reducer. H&S have carried out an investigation and have confirmed there is a trend. The problem with the reducer was ... to terminate their contract? Was it of a similar nature to our situation. Cheers Scott MacRory Regional H&S Representative Region 1 - Scotland
answered Jul 12, 2023 in Health and Safety Pikem 180 points
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Good Morning Comrades, I am currently looking into the use of positive pressure ventilation as a means of immediate decontamination, post BA wear. My Service (Scottish Fire & Rescue Service) are interested, but have asked whether there have been any form of studies ... see if it has been looked into, anywhere else in the country? Thanks Scott MacRory Regional H&S Representative Region 1 - Scotland
answered Jul 12, 2023 in Health and Safety Pikem 180 points
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Good evening Comrades, Hope you are all well. Are those of you with agreed policies on “with cause” drug/alcohol testing able to share what your limits are please? I`m hearing there is quite a lot of variation across the country and wanted to get a sense check of what the average seems to be. Thanks in advance. In Unity Kind Regards Dave Pike
answered Jun 19, 2023 in Health and Safety sammiller 180 points
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We currently have a member who has been in the capability process for 2-3 years due to suffering long covid Do any other brigades have personnel in the same position? Are other FRS`s treating long COVID as a disability, if so what has been the ... the limits of the employers responsibilities with regards staff treatment and provision of care for employees? Any help with the above would be welcome
asked Jun 19, 2023 in Health and Safety DavePike 260 points
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Information required from Assistant General Secretary is: 1. Does your FRS have a policy or a trial on the use of Body Worn Cameras? 2. If there is a policy or a trial, was it agreed by the FBU? 3. If your FRS has a policy or a trail on the use of Body Worn Cameras please send details to [email protected] Thanks in anticipation, Ben Selby Assistant General Secretary.
answered May 30, 2023 in Operational Ben Selby 210 points
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Hi, I am trying to ascertain how many Brigades have implemented the '3 month break rule' when settling the back pay element of the holiday pay/overtime claim relating to the Fulton v Bear case. Thanks very much, Rob Cartwright. Brigade chair - Shropshire.
asked Apr 27, 2023 in Pay rob cartwright 120 points
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