Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will take further strike action as part of an ongoing national trade dispute with Government in relation to the reform of Fire Service Pension Schemes over the May bank holiday weekend.

Periods of strike action are planned on:

• Friday 2nd May between noon and 5pm
• Saturday 3rd May from 2pm until 2am the following morning
• Sunday 4th May from 10am until 3pm

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has robust contingency plans in place and will continue to operate business as usual as far as reasonably practicable over the weekend.

However, there are certain safety measures we can all take to ensure our own safety and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Derek Masson is urging residents and businesses within mid and west Wales to take extra care and ensure they are fire and road safety aware over the bank holiday weekend.

ACFO Derek Masson said:

“Our number one priority is to ensure public safety by providing the best possible service throughout this period of strike action.

“Unfortunately, bank holidays do see an increase in the number of callouts we attend, with more people on the road, meeting up with friends and family and heightened drinking and cooking activities. As a result, the risks to people’s safety are that much higher so I would encourage everyone who will be in mid and west Wales over the bank holiday to take extra care by familiarising themselves with our safety advice which is available on our website and social media channels.

“Our contingency planning is going well and we are fortunate to have a number of operational staff who are not affiliated with the Fire Brigades Union and will be working as usual during this period of action.

“However, there is no avoiding the fact that our emergency response will be slightly reduced during this period, but if the public are in need of assistance, they must still dial 999 and an emergency response will be provided”.  

In order to help people prepare for taking extra care and reducing the risk to communities and businesses, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has published safety advice and guidance on its websitehttp://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/English/Newsroom/Industrial-Action/Pages/default.aspx and social networking sites – visit us athttps://www.facebook.com/mawwfire 

Source: Cllr Janice Dudley