So, all firefighters are again greedy and lazy, according to most of the media yet two weeks ago at the Maryhill explosion-in Glasgow we were heroes. There seems to be slight confusion here.
The reason is our night shift, which is 6pm-9am. Between midnight and 7am is "stand-down" time, during which we can relax and rest with the exception of 999 calls. A 15-hour shift is nearly two working days back-to-back. Would the public rather have a rested firefighter rescue them or one who has worked solidly for 15 hours?
The local authority employers do not want a rested firefighter but one who is "productive" and "flexible" in the stand-down period ie training with heavy noisy equipment at 4am. Lucky neighbours at Hove and Brighton.
The politicians forcing this through are the same ones who have a portfolio of part-time directorhips earning them thousands of pounds, three-hour lunches on expenses and five-star hotels for conferences. The hypocrisy is utterly sickening.
-Mark Hodiak, Blue watch, Hove fire station
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