AGREEMENT REACHED- ENDING THE FIREFIGHTERS DISPUTE

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is looking positively to the future after news that the long running firefighters dispute over pay and working conditions has finally been resolved following two years of unrest.

The agreement reached nationally between representatives from the employers and the Fire Brigades Union will mean that fire authorities will have the flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of the 21st century.

Martin Burrell, County Fire Officer for West Sussex, welcomed the agreement and said that it was now time for everyone to move forward together, and continue to provide a first class Fire & Rescue Service for West Sussex.

"It has been a long haul and we have been through some very difficult times. Our firefighters are dedicated people who have always taken pride in their service and I am sure that they will be relieved we can put the dispute behind us and move on.

"A lot of the 'modernisation' agenda that the dispute has focussed on, are programmes that we already have in place within West Sussex.

"There will be a greater emphasis on initiatives to prevent fires and accidents occurring, for example we already offer a free Home Fire Safety Check to anyone in West Sussex.

"We will always maintain the professional standard of emergency response that has traditionally enjoyed a high level of customer satisfaction from service users in the past, but based on the needs of today's society, not 50-year-old standards of fire cover.

"There will be change, certainly, but change aimed at reducing accidental deaths and injuries from fires and other emergencies, making West Sussex safer"

David Dewdney, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: "It is good news for West Sussex and for firefighters in the Fire and Rescue Service. With modern working practices and a better rewarded team we can look forward to them building on the professional and efficient service that has benefited the county in the past."