Seventy firefighters oppose shift changes fearing impact on health, childcare, and increased risks to the community.
Firefighters believe the changes hurt childcare and will harm their health, while fire chiefs claim the changes will help and that they will listen to concerns.
The council wants to change shifts so that firefighters work longer days, specifically eleven-hour days instead of nine, with night shifts being thirteen hours.
The FBU says the council isn’t listening, despite firefighters having written many letters. Though a committee wanted a discussion with staff, the council continued with the plan anyway.
A union leader, Kate Yhnell, spoke out, stating firefighters will not accept this. The large meeting shows their anger, highlighting that firefighters are against the council changes.
She said longer days hurt those with kids, impacting women especially and while the fire service claims to support women, they are making these changes.
Firefighters worry about their wellbeing, fearing experienced people will leave, potentially worsening understaffing problems and creating a risk.
Union leader Steve Wright also spoke, saying firefighters will fight hard because they strongly oppose the shift changes, and are united across the region.
Firefighters have serious worries that the shifts affect parents and carers because their finances and health will suffer, and believe service will not improve; ultimately, they think the council must stop attacking firefighters.
A fire chief, Nathaniel Hooton, commented, saying they are proud of firefighters, who save lives every day and help those in need.
He stated the fire service needs to be effective and should ensure firefighter safety, and the proposed changes will enhance their service, benefiting the community.
He added they will listen to feedback and talk to staff one-on-one to understand impacts, promising to adjust where possible, stating that the service will support them, and they will discuss it with unions.