Last updated: 09/07/2018, 6:17 PM

Fire chief warning ahead of fifteenth strike

09/07/2014 00:00
London-wide
Safety warnings

The Fire Brigades Union will be on strike again this Thursday 10 July and the London Fire Brigade is urging Londoners to take care. 

This will be the fifteenth round of FBU strike action since 25 September last year and relates to its ongoing dispute with the government over changes to firefighter pensions.

This Thursday’s strike is set to take place between 10am-7pm. London Fire Brigade will again put in place a contingency service to cover the nine hour strike, but its Commissioner is warning people not to be complacent.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said:

“There is a risk that people are now getting used to these strikes so I am warning Londoners not to be complacent where fire safety is concerned. People need to be thoughtful and careful. 

“There will be twenty seven fire engines available across London but we will not be providing our usual service so people must take steps to prevent fires.

“Keep a closer eye on your cooking, make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished and never leave candles unsupervised. I would hate for someone to be injured or killed in a fire that could easily be prevented.”

The Brigade will have 27 fire engines based at strategic locations and contingency crews will deal with emergencies across London during the strikes but it will not replicate a normal service and some less serious incidents, like fire alarms and bin fires, will not be attended.

During the strike firefighters will attend:

  • Serious fires –  like those in Londoners’ homes – confirmed by a 999 call
  • Fires that involve gas cylinders or hazardous substances.
  • Explosions
  • Vehicle fires or boat fires
  • Fires at railway stations and rail and road tunnels or fires involving people in underground tunnels
  • Aircraft or train crashes
  • Road traffic collisions
  • Collapsed structures
  • During the strike firefighters may not be able to attend:
  • Grass fires and other outdoor fires such as trees, hedges or undergrowth alight.
  • Rubbish fires (including fires in bins and skips) and fires on open ground.
  • Animal rescues (these will be referred to the RSPCA).
  • People shut in lifts (owners of buildings are responsible for ensuring arrangements are in place to release people from faulty lifts).
  • Flooding Automatic fire alarms – a fire engine will only be sent when the fire has been confirmed by a 999 call.

The FBU has said its members will also be on strike between 10th-21st July. Details of these strike dates and times can be found here. The Brigade will issue further safety advice prior to these further strikes.