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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

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As you may be aware, the B&EMM committee has set up a working group of B&EMM reps to explore issues specifically relevant to members of South Asian and Middle Eastern heritage (or West Asian, to use a less colonial term), and how the union can explore ... policies from your brigades on facial hair and BA. It would be great to receive these by the next Equalities Subcommittee on 25th November.
asked Sep 26 in Health and Safety Tam McFarlane 2.1k points
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In relation to the Shift Duty System, the Grey Book reads: 'there shall be at least two complete periods of 24 hours free from duty each week' This hasn't necessarily always been adhered to in relation to Training Courses and Competitions (e.g National BA Competition) Some ... ' Policies, and I'd be interested to know if this is the norm, or whether other Services' adhere to the Grey Book extract
asked Sep 25 in Terms & Conditions Alex Wilson 160 points
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Good afternoon comrades, Have any of your services removed BA from crew cabs and placed in the side lockers of the appliance? If so, were you as FBU officials in that process? What has been the feedback since? Additionally, have any services looked at doing it ... for not doing it? Manchester are looking at doing it. We are against the move but welcome alternative opinions In Unity Dave Pike
asked Sep 23 in Operational DavePike 280 points
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What are your policies on drug testing, who does the testing (internal/ external companies) any examples of policies would be appreciated. Also has anyone had any bad experiences with this area
asked Aug 11 in Health and Safety sammiller 200 points
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Does anyone use DAVIS for checking driving licences, if so any issues?
asked Mar 11 in Education ChrisKemp9810 200 points
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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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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 200 points
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3 answers
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.
asked Sep 2, 2024 in Pay Seona Hart 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]
asked Mar 26, 2024 in Pay ChrisKemp9810 200 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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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
asked Jan 12, 2024 in Health and Safety ScottMacRory-Region1 250 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?
asked Jan 5, 2024 in Operational Pippa9867 180 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!
asked Dec 8, 2023 in Terms & Conditions Seona Hart 180 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
asked Nov 20, 2023 in Health and Safety DavePike 280 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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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
asked Jul 10, 2023 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
asked Jul 10, 2023 in Health and Safety ScottMacRory-Region1 250 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
asked Jul 10, 2023 in Health and Safety ScottMacRory-Region1 250 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.
asked Jun 21, 2023 in Organising Pippa9867 180 points