Fire service provision for fire ground catering

Conference notes with concern the increasing use by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) of voluntary sector organisations to provide food and refreshments to Members of the service attending prolonged incidents.

Conference is concerned that some of these organisations do not uphold the core values of FRSs in their commitment to inclusivity.

One such organisation ‘Rapid Relief Team’ (RRT) were established by Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC).

Research into PBCC reveals that they operate policies that exclude Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people from their membership and that they have actively campaigned against LGBT equality.

Conference believes it is wrong for our Members to be expected to accept charity from people who do not share the values of inclusion and respect for difference.

It is the responsibility of FRS employers to ensure that firefighters receive food and refreshments during prolonged deployment at incidents and that they are failing with regard to their obligation to ensure partners embrace the Services’ core principles.

Conference calls on Brigade Officials to raise their concerns with their FRS should they be engaging the volunteer sector to perform this role.

Conference also calls for the Executive Council to raise the matter with the National Joint Council as some Services are potentially failing in their obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty.