Fire & Emergency Demo
Tuesday 31st January 2012
GMB FIRE SERVICES MEMBERS DEMONSTRATE OUTSIDE LONDON
FIRE & EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE IN MERTON TOMORROW (Wednesday
1st February) OVER PROPOSED PRIVATISATION OF LONDON’S
999 CALL CENTRE SERVICE
Potential bidders are chomping at the bit to get a piece
of this trend setting action as this will very likely set a very
bad precedent for future Fire Service delivery across the
UK
GMB members who work for the London Fire and Emergency Planning
Authority (LFEPA), which runs the London Fire Brigade will stage a
demonstration against the procurement process that could result in
its ‘999’ mobilising control service being outsourced into the
private sector.
The demo coincides with Wednesday’s (1st February) LFEPA,
official opening of the new London Operations Centre (LOC) in
the London Borough of Merton. Guests include Mayor of London
Boris Johnson, Eric Pickles MP and Bob Neill MP. GMB is
demonstrating against the potential privatisation of the
999 call centre.
The GMB members will hold their demonstration from:
8.00
A.M.
Wednesday
1st FEBRUARY
OUTSIDE
LONDON
OPERATIONS CENTRE
JUBILEE
Way
MERTON
SW19
3XD
Clive Smith, GMB Regional Organiser said, "GMB is
concerned that the handling of 999 calls must remain a public
service and not become a business opportunity. The Control Room is
the first link in the professional delivery of emergency services.
GMB members not only handle calls but give potentially live saving
advice to callers. GMB is concerned that the service to the
public, when caught up in emergencies, will deteriorate. GMB is
also concerned about the terms and conditions of members who
current deliver an excellent service to the public.
A fire service control room is not simply a call centre.
As well as providing lifesaving information to persons trapped in
fires and mobilising resources to assist them, it manages fire
cover and provides risk based information / support to
fire-fighters on the ground, all whilst liaising with other
emergency services / agencies and providing a strategic overview to
principal managers
Potential bidders are chomping at the bit to get a piece
of this trend setting action as this will very likely set a very
bad precedent for future Fire Service delivery across the
UK.
This opens the door to private investors who will drive
down costs in boosting the value of their investments. It will
deliver a poorer service to the public as the demoralised,
discontented and disconnected staff fall by the
wayside.”
Ends
Contact: Clive Smith, GMB Organiser on 07802
958554 or Paul Maloney, GMB Senior Organiser on 07801 343839 or GMB
Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or Rose Conroy on 07974
258123.