Avon Fire Brigades Union (Fbu)

Most within any Fire Service will be alarmed to find this government is still pushing through CUTS to their budgets!
When will those CFO's and Politicians in power running them join the FBU in standing up and saying NO MORE?
STOP implementing unsafe and detrimental changes to FRS's.
... Crewing with 3 Unsafe responses Increased Response times Not attending some incidents Bare bone establishments Over stressed Support Staff Undercrewed Control rooms
The list goes on...
History will ask why they sat back and allowed - even encouraged - this to go on.
See More

Avon members stand with their London FBU brothers and sisters, despicable to even consider they were to blame for #Grenfell!
Please read the FBU response to C4 #Dispatches programme here: http://bit.ly/2GxLrBk

Please help us keep you safe and stop the REDUCTION in YOUR FIRE SERVICE!
Please share https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/C89WHNS< br>... @fbunational @southwestFBU
See More

It was the end of an era this morning as our current Brigade HS&W Rep Bro John Maggs handed the position over to Bro Stuart Corr at the Avon FBU HS&W Committee at Kingswood.
John has not only been our Brigade Rep for over 15 years, but also a Regional Rep in that time. His hard work and commitment to improving our profession has been incredible and I will definitely miss his invaluable help on many matters - although maybe not when it comes to football!
In all seriousness, w...e owe John a great debt of gratitude and we absolutely wish him the very best in the few week’s he has left in the service, but also the many years of what will be a well-deserved retirement.
John will be having a few drinks on the 22nd March at the Brew House for those wishing to share a pint or two.
Cheers Maggsy!!
See More

Following the recent anniversaries that are so poignant within the Fire Service, locally with Fleur and indeed across the UK, we are again reminded only too vividly of the loss and power that Fire possesses and its indiscriminate willingness to destroy life and property.
With 4 children taken in one house fire in Staffordshire and at least 8 victims of another fire in Paris, with many more injured, including Firefighters, we must do all in our power to continue to fight for b...etter Fire Prevention, better Fire Cover, better Equipment, better Training.
Fire still occurs, it still costs lives and wrecks the lives of so many in our communities in so many ways when it rips uninvited into their lives.
‘Firefighters’ must do as our name instructs – fight fire, and whilst the greatest defeat to inflict upon it is to prevent its existence through extensive prevention work, it is obviously also about restricting its impact once it has started and limit its growth to lengthen and save the lives of our own.
Our thoughts are with all touched by not only these two incidents, but all others…but we must strive to ‘Fight Fire’ on every level.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-4 7126440
See More

Once again the AFRS family came together to remember Fleur at her memorial in Staple Hill.
Local Firefighters, Control, Officers, Support Staff were joined by many retired staff, some of which also attended this tragic incident back in 1996.
It always heartens me to see how many members of the public take the time to come along specifically or simply stop to join us and wanted to pay their respect to Fleur. Firefighters up and down the land commit to serving their communiti...es, and that is recognised by those communities with a level of respect that is truely humbling at times.
Ex CFO John Terry read some wonderful words on behalf of Fleurs family and wreaths were laid during the reading of the Firefighters Prayer.
RIP Fleur...we will always remember.
See More

On Sunday 4 February 1996, Fire Crews from Speedwell Fire Station were called to reports of a serious fire at Leos supermarket, Staple Hill, Bristol. Tragically Sister Fleur Lombard, who was only 21 at the time, tragically lost her life bravely battling this fire.
Fleur was posthumously awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal and Chief Fire Officer's Commendation in recognition of her bravery. Two of her colleagues who were with her that day were also awarded the George Medal and... the Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
After Fleur’s tragic death a trust fund was set up as a fitting tribute to her bravery, courage, dedication and professionalism. The Fleur Lombard Bursary aims to keep Fleur’s values alive, helping others progress their careers in the fire and rescue service. The bursary, which is open to all fire and rescue service staff across the UK, gives the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to fund study into firefighting and learning from other services across the world and details can be found here:
https://www.avonfire.gov.uk/chari…/the- fleur-lombard-bursary
RIP Fleur, we will honour your bravery, remember your commitment and ensure your name and spirit lives on.
See More

Another day and more members to sadly remember...but we must keep their stories alive, continue to learn and protect others in their names.
Michael Miller and Jeff Wornham, gave their lives in the line of duty on 2 February 2005 at Harrow Court fire, Stevenage. Read about their bravery here: bit.ly/
RIP Brothers

Today we remember Firefighters Kevin Lane and Stephen Griffin, who gave their lives in the line of duty at a house fire in Blaina, South Wales on 1 February 1996.
Read about their bravery and the lessons learned from the tragedy here because we must never forget them - especially when financial pressures of austerity have resulted in fewer Firefighters and appliances and battles against spreading our resources thinner and thinner.
bit.ly/2MJIle6

There is a survey relating to the service anyone connected to a Fire Service Pension receives.
They are interested to hear from all member stakeholders, whether you are active, deferred, pensioner or a dependent.
Please help - it really only takes a few minutes and I know lots of you rightly have views on the matter.
... http://bit.ly/FPS-Memb-Survey
@fbunational @Southwestfbu
See More

Congratulations to @AvonFBU members Bro's Paul Lippiatt (below) & Paul Henbest from @TempleFireStn & @BathFireStn respectively after their photos were included in the @FBUNational 2019 calendar #July & #May 📷

Tragic news following the events in Paris earlier today after a gas explosion in a Bakery has taken the lives of 2 Firefighters, with another in a serious condition along with 1 member of the public with dozens of others injured.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died and also those who are dealing with the aftermath.

Please catch the latest #FBU All Members Circular in relation to the Legal victory on transitional protection around the imposed 2015 pension scheme here👇
https://www.southwestfbu.com/node/617
... @SouthWestFBU @fbunational #UnityIsStrength
See More

The FBU have today won their legal challenge against the, now proven unlawful, transitional protection arrangements imposed on members in 2015 in relation to a new pension scheme by government.
This vindicates the FBU's continued pension campaign and moves the situation forward to try and get an acceptable and fair outcome - however that looks.
I would like to thank personally Avon FBU members for their support during this campaign which has at times obviously been extremel...y stressful. However the strength you have shown played a massive part in allowing us to achieve this victory at all - so solidarity to you all - and I'd guess we will still have struggles ahead so keep it up.
Please members please keep an eye on your notice boards for updates moving forward.
Gary Spindler Avon Brigade Sec
See More

Bizarrely FRS's up & down the country are not even recording work place stress on their sickness figures! It's not good enough to pretend everything's ok & bury the facts - we need to address the issue of Mental Health. @fbunational

Do you feel lucky?...Or maybe just happy to support an incredibly good cause. 🚒🚒🚒👩‍🚒👨‍🚒✊