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7
FIREFIGHTERS’
MEET THE
CHIEF
Peter Hopkins meets Ann Millington,
Chief of the Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
In the first of these new articles I met Ann
Millington from Kent Fire and Rescue Service
during which Ann outlined how Kent FRS is
first in the UK to move from retained fire
fighter to on-call contracts
Ann Millington is originally from Wales and
graduated with a philosophy and psychology
degree. She has worked in HR in the Home
Office, as well as the NHS, and for the London
Borough of Bexley. Most of her career has
been in Organisational Development, involving
developing systems and managing change
projects. Ann joined Kent Fire and Rescue and
Service in 2007 as HR Director, then became
Deputy Chief Executive. She became Chief
Executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service in
early 2011 and is the first woman to take the
helm at KFRS.
Eighteen months ago Kent Fire and Rescue
Service (KFRS) became the first in the UK to
move its 750 retained firefighters to on-call
contracts with virtually the same terms and
conditions as their wholetime colleagues,
allowing KFRS more control over the
availability of pumps when and where they are
needed.
Several significant factors led to the change. In
2010 the results of the FBU tribunal finally
ruled that retained firefighters had been
treated less favourably in terms of pension
rights and sick pay. In addition, a spate of EU
legislation around driver's hours, health and
safety and working time also put a focus on the
60-year-old system.
The Service was also undertaking a
comprehensive emergency response review,
and it was clear that guaranteed availability of
crews was vital to future changes.
In addition, the recent deaths of retained
firefighters in other parts of the UK focussed
attention on being absolutely sure retained
staff worked enough hours to complete
essential safety training.
KFRS Chief Executive, Ann Millington, said
"We needed to know we had staff available
when and where we needed them, and that
we could forward plan with accuracy and
reliability. Previously, retained staff often
committed to over 120 hours, but chose
themselves which hours they would work.
Now staff are on call for an agreed number of
guaranteed hours based on a risk assessment
for each station area. This is no criticism of the
very dedicated retained firefighters we had
here in Kent, but the 60-year-old retained
system we inherited after World War II was no
longer fit for our needs."
Kent's new contracts identify the annual
number of hours for core training, as well as
simplifying the previously complicated retained
payments system which was largely claim
based. Under the new on-call system
firefighters are paid an annual salary - whether
called out or not. They also receive extra
payments if they are called out to incidents
over and above an agreed threshold, at the
same hourly rate as wholetime firefighters.
KFRS aimed for around 60 on-call contracted
hours, allowing firefighters to have a more
sensible work-life balance to fit in with family
commitments and primary employment, as
well as ensuring KFRS has guaranteed
availability when and where it is needed.
To further enhance the availability of staff at
the right time and in the right place, annualised
contracts have also been developed to provide
a flexible resource to fill gaps in crewing on
part-time pumps on a pre-planned basis by
drawing on a 'pot' of hours that individual
firefighters commit to. The use of annualised
contracts in this way is subject to review to
ensure that this resourcing model is right for
the organisation.
KFRS is currently recruiting for around 80 new
on-call firefighters, and is offering contracts to
work specific hours that match the local risk
profile of particular stations.
With thanks to Ann Millington CEO and KFRS
PR Officer.
NEWS
PM appoints new Fire Minister
Brandon Lewis has replaced Bob Neill as
Fire Minister in England as part of the
Coalition Government reshuffle.
Mr Lewis becomes Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State at the Department for
Communities and Local Government
(DCLG).
He was elected the Conservative MP for
Great Yarmouth in 2010 after a career in
law and business, and currently sits on
the Regulatory Reform Committee and
the Work and Pensions Select
Committee.
Taking up the role, Mr Lewis said: 'I am
honoured to have been appointed to the
position of Fire and Rescue Minister. I
recognise the important service fire and
rescue authorities deliver to local
communities. Fire and rescue authorities
and wider sector partners play a key role
in ensuring public safety, reducing deaths
and injuries from fire, promoting fire
prevention and responding to major
national emergencies. It is a key public
service and one that I look forward to
learning more about in this new
challenging role.
'I would also like to wish my predecessor
Bob Neill MP all the best for the future
and thank him for his contribution to the
Government's work during his time in
the role.'
Mr Lewis’ website says he has a wealth
of business experience and fully
understands the challenges facing small
businesses and the burdens placed on
them by government.
The appointment was one of a host of
changes in junior ministerial ranks at
DCLG.