HC Deb 20 November 2002 vol 394 cc122-3W
25. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made in solving the firefighters' dispute. [81567]

Mr. Raynsford

Informal discussions took place yesterday involving the FBU and the Deputy Prime Minister, and the FBU and the Local Government Employers. The Local Government Employers are ready to talk, and we urge the FBU to return to formal negotiations.

Michael Fabricant

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Green Goddess fire engines and associated equipment will be in Staffordshire during the firefighters' industrial dispute; and where they will be deployed. [81051]

Mr. Raynsford

Emergency cover in Staffordshire is currently planned to consist of 12 Green Goddesses, five breathing apparatus teams (BARTs), and one rescue team equipped with specialist equipment (a REST), manned by military personnel. The contingency arrangements also effect thousands of the police, NHS and local authority staff. The table sets out where the Green Goddesses, BARTs and RESTs will be based.

Location Number of Green

Goddesses

Number of BARTs
Burton-on-Trent 2 1
Cannock 2 1
Cobridge 2 1
Lichfield 2 1
Longston 2 1
Stafford 2 0

Note:

The REST will be based at Stafford

The provision of Ministry of Defence emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to minimise call-out response times and maximise the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities.

The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties. The deployment of firefighters will be based on the assessment of how best to respond to an emergency in the quickest time possible. The deployment will be kept under review.