IRMP – To change the current shift arrangement at Birtley Community Fire Station

Current staffing arrangements in the Service include a combination of on-call, day crewing close call (DCCC) and 2-2-4 (2 day shifts; 2 night shifts; 4 days off duty). Following a legal challenge of the DCCC staffing arrangement in 2018, the High Court declared this arrangement is unlawful, and subsequently directed all FRS to change these arrangements, in the absence of any local agreement with the Fire Brigades Union. No such agreement has been reached between the FBU and TWFRS, therefore we have to propose and implement an alternative staffing model at this station.

To meet this ruling, we proposed a change from Day Crewing Close Call (DCCC) shift system, to Day Crewed shift system, at Birtley Community Fire Station. This meant the station would be crewed full time for 12 hours during the day, and fire cover would be provided by neighbouring stations at night. At the TWFRA meeting on September 13^th, the Service was asked to re-consider this proposal following concerns raised by members of the TWFRA on behalf of residents in Birtley. At the meeting of the TWFRA on October 11^th, a new proposal was approved that will see a Day Crewing On-Call (DCOC) staffing model introduced. This will replace the current Day Crewing Close Call (DCCC) arrangements. This is planned to be implemented by the end of March 2022.