Ayrshire's part-time fire crews face axe
A CHANGE in the law could axe retained firefighting services in Ayrshire.
Proposals to scrap the UK’s opt-out from the Working Time Directive have been put forward.
The move would impose a maximum 48-hour working week on firefighters.
And it would mean that retained firefighters may be banned from responding to calls because they would clock up too many working hours.
Most of South Ayrshire is covered by retained firefighters.
John Scott MSP has expressed serious concern over the EU plans.
He said: “This could have a serious impact on the position of retained firefighters, most of whom are already in some form of full-time employment.
“Of the five fire stations across South Ayrshire, only Ayr has a wholetime station, with those at Girvan, Maybole, Colmonell and Troon all falling into the retained category.
“Such is the level of dependence on retained fire crews in South Ayrshire, I would have grave concerns about the ability of the fire service to maintain the existing level of cover in the event that retained firefighters were unable to work beyond the 48-hour legal limit set out in the working time directive.”
Mr Scott continued: “Of course nobody wants to see a situation where people are obliged to work excessive hours, and I believe that the possible effect on the fire service of scrapping the opt-out is unintended, but I do believe that this is a situation that will need to be addressed.
“Communities across South Ayrshire must have confidence that the level of fire cover will not be reduced as a result of these moves by the European Union.”
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