| Fire Brigades Union Scottish secretary Kenny Ross said it was “premature” to be talking about industrial action in support of their colleagues in the control room.
However, a resolution passed by the local branch of the FBU agreed for “all and any necessary action” against moves to reduce the number of command and control centres in Scotland.
The resolution stated, “The Fire Brigade Union Tayside committee fully supports the FBU in Scotland’s position to retain the eight brigades and eight control rooms.
“As a committee, we will continue to support FBU members within the Tayside command and control room.
“We will also consider taking all and any action necessary in support of FBU members in Tayside control, for the retention of their jobs and the command and control centre.”
Scottish Executive plans could result in Scotland’s current set-up of eight local control rooms being reduced to just one, two or three in centralised locations.
The control room at Macalpine Road Fire Station in Dundee is responsible for taking 999 calls from the public and dispatching fire crews to deal with all kinds of incidents, from fires to road accidents.
Worried brigade staff believe that if their control room is removed in favour of a centralised control for Scotland lives will be at risk due to a lack of vital local knowledge.
Today’s committee meeting, involving representatives of all staff within the Tayside Brigade, was held in the under-threat control room.
Referring to the resolution, Mr Ross said, “It is effectively raising the prospect of a very hard battle on our behalf, and we will do everything we can to get the message over.
“But industrial action is way down the line, and obviously it is something that we do not want to happen.”
He added, “The control room staff are very concerned, both about their personal futures and also the control room and the safety of people in Tayside.” |
