Dear Brother/Sister
Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA) – Joint Operating Procedures (JOPs)
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has been made aware that some fire and rescue services have begun, without consultation with the FBU, to implement MTA JOPs 3.
The FBU does not accept that responding to declared MTA incidents, participating in MTA training other than an awareness of, and managing MTA operations is within the role of a firefighter (Firefighter to Area Manager).
In the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), collective agreements have been reached between the employer and the FBU. These agreements extend the role of a firefighter (FF-AM) to the roles and responsibilities associated with an MTA response. These agreements have seen an uplift in pay as well as setting out conditions for training, a concept of operations, and protections for the financial rights of those who are killed or seriously injured whist attending an MTA incident.
The guiding principles of the concept of operations within the LFB and GMFRS collective agreements are built on the JOPs 2 model. Therefore, in only those two services has the FBU agreed to the implementation of JOPs 2.
The FBU has not agreed to the implementation of JOPs3 – nor shall the FBU accept that firefighters should be put at an increased risk.
The national FBU has not been consulted with, prior to the implementation of JOPs3.
The FBU remains committed to our policy to see the role of a firefighter develop by agreement. We continue to make representation at a national employers and governmental level to see the role of a firefighter (FF-AM) include a response to MTA. However, until agreement is made, then no FBU members can be required to undertake training relating to, or in response to an MTA incident.
Those services where an agreement has been reached should not seek to impose concepts of operations that is not in keeping with that established.
Yours in unity,
Ben Selby
Assistant General Secretary
