Cambridgeshire Crews Busy During Fire Strike

22 June 2014, 08:09 | Updated: 22 June 2014, 08:14

Cover crews were called to eight emergency calls during the latest round of firefighter strike action.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union walked out for seven hours yesterday.

It was their latest walk-out in their long running dispute with the government over pensions and retirement age.

In Cambridgeshire, standby crews were called to the following incidents:

11.33am, to sheltered accommodation in Millfield, Peterborough. One crew attended, false alarm.
11.51am, at an address in Lammas Gardens in Huntingdon. One crew attended, false alarm.
12.16pm, fire outdoors (grassland), St Paul’s Road, Peterborough. One crew attended, no action required.
12.28pm, Morrisons, Walton, Peterborough. One crew attended, false alarm.
2.03pm, to unit on Reynolds Industrial Park, Stevern Way, Peterborough. One crew attended, false alarm.
2.30pm, crane fire on A47 at Guyhirn. Two crews attended and used one hose reel to extinguish the fire. Crews administered first aid to a man who had minor burns to his hand. Cause was accidental.
3.39pm, to sheltered accommodation in Histon. One crew attended, false alarm.
4.27pm, BBQ on fire, Cherry Hinton Rd, Cambridge. One crew attended and extinguished the fire.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: “Once again our resilience arrangements have been successful and all 999 calls were responded to. Again I’d like to thank the public for being extra vigilant during today’s industrial action.”

TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Firefighters would rather not be going out on strike again this weekend but, with the Government hell-bent on pushing ahead with cuts to their pensions, they have little choice.

Firefighters frequently put their lives on the line to keep the public safe, but although they are more athletic and stronger than most of us, even they would struggle to pass the necessary fitness tests as their 60th birthdays approach.

If they fail the test, it's likely they will be sacked or forced to retire on a much lower pension.

That can't be right, nor is it fair, and ministers should think again.''