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Posted at 04/12/2021 09:14 by adrian j boris CriticismSome critics allege that the FIRE movement "is only for the rich",[24] pointing to the difficulties of achieving the high savings rates needed for FIRE on a low income. Another common criticism is that the FIRE movement is composed only of white "tech bros", a notion that highlights the fact that men are overrepresented in media coverage of the FIRE movement. A New York Times story focused on the women and women of color in the FIRE movement. It highlighted Kiersten Saunders and called Tanja Hester, author of the book Work Optional, "the matriarch of the FIRE women." Paula Pant, host of the Afford Anything podcast, and Jamila Souffrant, host of the Journey to Launch podcast, are also prominent women of color in the FIRE movement. Finally, some argue that early retirees are not saving enough for early retirement and the many unknowns that come with a longer time period. Because the retirement phase of FIRE could potentially last 70 years, critics say that it is inappropriate to apply the 4% rule, which was developed for a traditional retirement timeframe of 30 years. For that reason, Hester and economist Karsten Jeske argue for a safer withdrawal rate of 3.5% or less, which means saving 30-40 times one's annual spending instead of 25 times if the goal is to retire completely and never earn money again. |
Posted at 20/11/2021 11:03 by gibbs1 HistoryThe main ideas behind the FIRE movement originate from the 1992 best-selling book Your Money or Your Life written by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez,[11][12] as well as the 2010 book Early Retirement Extreme by Jacob Lund Fisker.[13] These works provide the basic template of combining a lifestyle of simple living with income from investments to achieve financial independence. In particular, the latter book describes the relationship between savings rate and time to retirement, which allows individuals to quickly project their retirement date given an assumed level of income and expenses. The Mr. Money Mustache blog, which started in 2011, is an influential voice that generated interest in the idea of achieving early retirement through frugality and helped popularize the FIRE movement. A Notable contributor to this movement includes Financial Freedom author Grant Sabatier, who works closely with Vicki Robin and popularized the idea of side hustling as a path to accelerate financial independence. In 2018, the FIRE movement received significant coverage by traditional mainstream media outlets. According to a survey conducted by the Harris Poll later that year, 11% of wealthier Americans aged 45 and older have heard of the FIRE movement by name while another 26% are aware of the concept. 2020 saw the introduction of dating sites and blogs dedicated to bringing partners that share the FIRE lifestyle together. |
Posted at 29/8/2021 18:05 by firtashia Some interesting info about FIRE on the “monevatorR |
Posted at 29/8/2021 17:00 by misca2 How the Pandemic Changed the FIRE MovementJohn Csiszar August 18, 2021ยท3 min read rawpixel / unsplash.com rawpixel / unsplash.com The idea of early retirement had been a dream for many Americans long before it evolved into the FIRE movement. But with the growing influence of social media and the ability of workers to operate remotely, the FIRE movement has sparked a renewed effort to retire early, particularly among millennials. However, as with most things in daily life, the pandemic has had a major effect on the FIRE movement. Read on to learn more about what the FIRE movement is and how adherents have had to adjust during the pandemic. Check Out: Comparing and Contrasting the FIRE Movement With ‘Lying Flat’ Debt-Free Future: Tips for Adapting To a FIRE Lifestyle What Is the FIRE Movement? FIRE is an acronym for “Financial Independence, Retire Early.” And while the dream of early retirement is nothing new, the FIRE movement highlights a variety of steps that participants can take to make early retirement a reality. One of the core components of the FIRE movement is to save 50% or even more of your income to accelerate your retirement date. It also involves trimming down your lifestyle and making current sacrifices so that you can enjoy the long-term benefit of an early retirement. Read More: 10 Myths About Early Retirement Find Out: The Downsides of Retirement That Nobody Talks About How Has the Pandemic Hurt the FIRE Movement? The skyrocketing unemployment rate, stay-at-home orders and business closures that accompanied the coronavirus pandemic all worked to conspire against the FIRE movement. Since saving a high percentage of your income is an important stepping stone to retiring early, those who lost jobs or had to reduce working hours during the pandemic may have set their early retirement plan back by years. Read: 10 Tips for Early Retirement Many who work from home or operate online businesses suffered as consumers went into savings mode rather than spending mode. And those already beginning their early retirement adventure may have been spooked out of the stock market, which suffered its fastest 30% decline in history in 2020. FIRE adherents who sold during this rapid, massive sell-off missed the equally violent recovery, which at just 33 days was the shortest bear market in S&P 500 history. FIRE proponents who panicked during the sell-off may have permanently crippled their early retirement nest egg. |
Posted at 27/9/2007 09:06 by 5dally RNS Number:6742VFinance Ireland PLC 30 April 2007 30 April 2007 Embargoed For Release at 7.00am Finance Ireland Plc ('Finance Ireland' or 'the Group') Audited Final Results for the Six Months Ended 31 December 2006 Finance Ireland Plc (AIM: FIRE), the holding company for Shared Home Investment Plan Plc ('SHIP'), a leading Irish provider of equity release products to the over 60s, is pleased to announce its audited final results for the six months ended 31 December 2006. Highlights: *Interest income of Euro620k (year ended 30 June 2006: Euro90k) *Lifetime mortgage loans totalled Euro26.2m at year end (30 June 2006: Euro10.6m) *Net book value of home reversion interests of Euro7.4m (30 June 2006: Euro6.9m) *Announced joint venture with Investec Holdings (Ireland) Limited to launch a specialist mortgage lender for the non-standard mortgage market in Ireland called Nua Homeloans Limited ('Nua Homeloans') *Acquired additional reversionary interests in 45 residential properties through the purchase of S.H.I.P. Property Trading (One) Limited, a special purpose company , for Euro5.5m in November 2006* *Completed a private placing of Euro2.4m (£1.68m) of convertible loan notes in February 2007* * Completed subsequent to the period end Commenting on the audited results, Billy Kane, Chairman and Chief Executive of Finance Ireland said: 'The Group made excellent progress in the 6 months to December 2006 with strong growth in our Lifetime Mortgage business up to Euro26.2m and the addition of a further 45 reversionary interests to our Home Reversion portfolio now valued in excess of Euro13m. Nua Homeloans, our Joint Venture with Investec Holdings (Ireland) Limited was launched on the 5th April and initial indications are very encouraging. SHIP is moving to new business premises in Grand Canal House, Dublin 4 which we will share with Nua Homeloans.' Enquiries: Finance Ireland Plc: +353 87 259 7640 Billy Kane, Chairman and Chief Executive Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance Limited 020 7509 4570 Sunil Sanikop Alex Stanbury CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT AND OPERATING REVIEW -------------------- As outlined in my previous statement issued on 12th March 2007, I now have pleasure in presenting you with the audited accounts for the six month period ended 31st December 2006. This 'short year' is to facilitate our change of financial year end from 30th June to 31st December from this date forward. In the period, our Lifetime Mortgages generated gross interest income of Euro557k on advances which totalled Euro26.2m at year end. These products have been very well received among Mortgage Intermediaries and I am happy to report that we have now reached our target number of 180 formally registered intermediaries all of whom are authorised by the Financial Regulator to refer mortgage clients to us on a commission basis. In order to further develop both our direct and intermediary business, we have recently commissioned our first television advertising campaign, which will be broadcast in May 2007. Our Home Reversion portfolio now amounts to holding interests in a total of 102 properties. This follows the acquisition of reversionary interests in 45 residential units through the purchase of S.H.I.P. Property Trading (One) Limited, a special purpose company, for Euro5.5m. The transaction was completed on 31st January 2007. Two reversionary interests were sold in the period generating a profit of Euro53k. Our operating cost base has increased to Euro1.0m for the period but remains tightly controlled and reflects the increased number of staff to 10 in the period. Nua Homeloans, our joint venture with Investec Holdings (Ireland) Limited, is now operational and working out of its new premises at Grand Canal Street Upper, Dublin 4. We have recruited a highly rated and experienced management team headed by Declan Fitzpatrick, who is very well known among mortgage intermediaries. Nua Homeloans held a very successful 'launch' at the Shelbourne Hotel on 4th April which was attended by over 250 mortgage intermediaries and guests. Despite some recent adverse press commentary on the equity release market, our lifetime mortgage business remained strong in the first quarter of 2007. Subsequent to the period end, we raised an additional Euro2.4m (£1.68m) to finance the further development of the home reversion and sub-prime mortgage businesses in Ireland. The Group continues to evaluate other opportunities in niche retail financial services in the Irish market. William Kane ____________________ Chairman and Chief Executive |
Posted at 16/11/2002 13:18 by wageslave Their fight is our fight Everyone in the public sector should support the firefighters' cause, because if they lose, we all lose, says Geoff Martin Friday November 15, 2002 Anybody who thought that the firefighters might get a fair opportunity to pitch their case in this pay dispute will have had their eyes opened, as the full force of the establishment, from the Sun and the Daily Mail through to deputy prime minister, John Prescott, and even the Guardian leader page, has ranged up against them. So let's get back to the core of the Fire Brigades Union case - if the claim for a 40% increase looks high that's only a reflection of the battering that firefighters' salaries have taken since the mid-1980's. Firefighters' leader Andy Gilchrist is right to point out that even if the FBU win their full claim it still means a take-home salary of just £8.50 an hour. Firefighters' pay is still linked to the earnings of the top 25% of male manual workers. But if it had kept pace with average male earnings since 1978 - rather than the upper-quartile of male manual earnings - they would be roughly £100 a week better off today, and with a bit of extra money to reflect the changing nature of the job, would be as near as dammit on the £30,000 a year they are calling for. Sir George Bain, the head of the Whitehall-appointed inquiry into firefighters' pay - chose to ignore all of this. The Blairite argument that firefighters are resistant to modernisation is as ludicrous in respect of their service as it is when he fires the same jibe at the NHS. Unison has pledged full support for the FBU in their campaign and we have already put in place arrangements for hospitals, schools, town halls and colleges to twin with their local fire station to support our public sector colleagues in any way we can. Other unions are doing the same. Of course the enemies of the trade union movement will track down and wheel out the odd dissenting voice. But the vast majority of our members worked out long ago that the firefighters' fight is their fight and that if they win they all win. A mass rally of striking university staff in London this week echoed exactly those sentiments. There's a real chance that if the government hadn't intervened in the fire service pay negotiations back in the summer we wouldn't be seeing the braziers being stoked up as the nights start to draw in. John Prescott, a man who owes his education, his position and his luxury lifestyle to the leg up that the trade union movement gave him, should be feeling a deep sense of personal shame. I've got no time for this government but I never thought I'd see the day when politicians trading under the banner of the Labour party would employ the services of the Sun and the Mail and the forces of the state to batter a group of dignified and proud trade unionists into the ground in the same way that Thatcher set out to destroy the miners. When Blair made his "wreckers" speech and when he talked about "the scars on his back" from dealing with the public sector he was laying in to everyone who makes this country's services tick. The firefighters have been brave enough to make a stand. The government wants to isolate them and starve them back to work. We all have a duty to stop that from happening. If Blair breaks the firefighters, I'll give you odds that it will be you next. Geoff Martin is London convenor for Unison |
Posted at 12/11/2002 09:39 by jaxaxe Ive yet to meet anyone that is totally sympatetic to the fire workers cause,and quite frankly any semblance of sympathy that they had has now gone up in smoke.Look at their slogon...because we`re worth it...which egotistical twerp thought up that little gem - pressumably that lunatic shop steward in the Grattons suit.The firemen have had a cosy ride over the years - jobs for the boys-keeping out the females and ethnic minorities..(check the figures)...when did you ever see a black fireman or see a women on the fire engine...Ive never seen one and I walk past the fire station every day. The retained firemen believe that the strikes are wrong and are refusing to join the the full timers in their industrial action;one was on sky earlier today saying it was his job to save lives not lose them.....and these retained firemen are held in contempt by the full timers...and the FBU. The retainers are not in the same union as the fulltimers they have their own smaller but much more liberal union and its this union that will eventually help in breaking down the old boy network that presently exists in the fire service - and the sooner the better. The job of fireman should be a vocation and not just a run of the mill job.The Nurses dont join the nursing profession for the wage packet - and niether should recruits to the fire service.....if its just money that they want then they are quite obviously in the wrong job......perhaps one of the other 46 applicants that are queuing for each of the current fire positions should be put on a government course ready to fill the breech of the gaps left by the strikers. - Before each new fire man is given the honour of serving the public he should be made aware that the fire service is a vocation and not just a job...if its just money and the thought of joining a band of fellow men who have cushy numbers then the fire service isnt for you..because its going to change,the governments had enough of the fbu and so have the the retainers and more importantly so have the public ! Jack Levi. |
Posted at 17/10/2002 13:26 by sparky999 The shift pattern gives you only 3 clear days off.I was an electrician before I joined and spent 4 years training.I have been a fireman firstly part time 3 and half years and full time 10 years.My fire brigade training would easily out strip that of an electrician.You still have to pass an entrance exam which is not easy.What qualification do you need to start taking a degree??? The trouble is unless you are a fireman then you will struggle to understand how technical it is.The publics perception is something very different to the reality.The bottom line is the job is not easy and involves long hours away from the family. Evey job we go to the public expects us to know what to do.Maybe 25 years ago that was just fires and the odd road accident.Now you must know the exact science of fire,how it spreads why it spreads,ventilation, I was a retained firemen to start with and had just 2 weeks training and was expected to do the same as a full timer.This, I think is where the misconception comes from that anyone can do it.As much as we thought we were fantastic we were severly lacking in training and knowledge and just muddled through.The sad fact is people have died because of it,but the public are non the wiser.The public are under the impression that if we turn up with a uniform then we must know what we are doing.It is all down to money.Retained firefighters need the extra money to devote more time to training and the government needs to wake up and back it.Every retained firemen should do the same 16week training and get adequate further training.But why should the government do it.The public are happy.You could even argue why would want to learn about high rise building fires if you are stationed in the highlands of scotland. So you have 2 firefighters.One spends his life learning and is very highly qualified and the other is starved of training but can get by on 2 weeks training,with a lot of luck mainly because they don't face the same risks. |
Posted at 26/9/2002 19:08 by sparky999 A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL SECRETARY You will know by now that the recalled annual conference voted unanimously to ballot all FBU members on strike action, consisting of a series of discontinuous strikes, to achieve our claim for a fair wage for all members, and also a new formula to ensure that we never again slip into the poverty trap. You will therefore shortly receive a ballot paper giving you the chance to vote on whether or not you think that union members should take strike action in pursuit of our pay claim and the new formula, and we naturally urge you to vote yes. We’re demanding a fair wage based on a re-calibration of our skills base, derived from a report by the Labour Research Department on the Fire Service National Pay Formula. That report lifts us from the upper quartile of male manual workers (evaluated 25 years back after the ’77 strike) to Associate, Professional and Technical workers, and pegs pay at around £30k. At this stage, it is perhaps worth highlighting a few issues raised by members as we head toward ballot, and perhaps strike action. THE GOVERNMENT’S REVIEW Our employers have not only rejected our claim, but have offered an ‘interim’ The Executive Council, on your behalf, rejected the Government’s offer of an independent review. This was not done in a fit of pique, but because since 1999, there have been eight reviews of the fire service. Indeed, as late as 1999, the Secretary of State for the Home Office commissioned an independent review of conditions of service, with the recommendations of that review agreed and implemented in September 2001. The Fire cover review, now widely leaked, is known to call for an increase in the service as a whole of 100%, and the government are currently doing their level best to ensure it never sees the light of day…rest assured, it will! This proposed Government review, we are told, will produce a full, independent report by the middle of December… so it’s obviously going to be so thorough that it’ll take less time to compile than to train a firefighter! We are further told that the ‘team’ will be visiting fire stations and control rooms to discuss issues with members. We must make it absolutely clear to the government, that this union and its members have already stated that not only is this review an unnecessary distraction, but that we won’t give it the legitimacy it needs by taking part or submitting evidence. It is imperative therefore that all members make this view known to the team if they arrive on your watch, and that we demand pay, not more inquiries or reviews. So to sum up, we don’t need a further review to tell us what we already know; that we’re understaffed, underfunded and underpaid. We don’t need a stalling exercise or a face saver while they gather ‘evidence̵ But crucially, this is between us and the local authorities, and is not a role for the government. Indeed, this is an extremely dangerous and cowardly strategy for a local authority funded service to pursue. It is their responsibility to negotiate with us, and then any funding issues should be taken jointly to the Government THE COST OF THE CLAIM A report by the Audit Commission places the fire service as the best performing, most efficient and popular of all the public services, so we need no lectures on how to improve efficiency or best value, or that for an increase in pay we must accept cuts in service or conditions. In a recent report by Cap Gemini Ernst Young, it is stated that our pay claim will cost, on average, an extra 41 pence household, per week across the UK, so any talk by the PM of driving up the cost of mortgages or have a devastating effect on the UK’s economy is, to say the least, an exaggeration, and at best, plain stupid! DOES THIS RELATE TO EMERGENCY FIRE CONTROL STAFF AS WELL? Absolutely! The employment legislation covers everyone in this dispute, and Fire Control members most certainly won’t be put under 92% pressure from the Chief, the employer or this time wasting Government Inquiry, they’ll be put under 100% pressure like everyone else. So don’t fall for any lies about how it is different for Control because it is more difficult to walk out of a Control Room than a Fire Station, that’s as untrue as it is preposterous. And don’t listen to the cosy chats that may come from senior management or visiting inquirers, think what their real motives are. Senior management may tell you that they’re looking after your best interests ‘cause after all “you’ve known them for years”. Oh really! They and the employers abdicated their responsibility and the ability to do anything for you when they pushed for this Inquiry. Just because our employers don’t think Emergency Fire Control Staff are worth the same as Firefighters doesn’t mean we should think the same. Since its inception, and indeed all the way through this campaign, we have been very clear that the only way to win is to be united. The policy of pay parity for Emergency Fire Control Staff has been around for a very long time, and like everything else we’ve gained in the service, it’ll have to be fought for. Remember, we’re not just fighting for ourselves and individual groups or section of the service; we are fighting one fight and supporting each other; just as it is in the job. Without the 100% support for each other it just won’t work. AND MEMBERS ON THE RETAINED DUTY SYSTEM? This hardly needs a separate paragraph, because unlike our employers, or the recent employment tribunal decision on pensions, or anyone who seeks to play on the differences between those working the retained system and those working the wholetime, we seek to show the many, many issues where there are no differences. Indeed, one of our wholetime delegates speaking at annual conference on the pay debate is quoted as saying; ‘There’s no such thing as a retained fire.’ That sums up this union’s views on those members. If it’s good enough to go to fires the same as wholetime members do; If it’s good enough to attend RTAs the same as wholetime members do; And, like our two members in Blaina, if it’s good enough to die for this job the same as wholetime members do. Then it’s good enough for all members to receive the same professional pay. WHAT ABOUT MY MORTGAGE? Members have, understandably, raised fears over their mortgage payments. If we are forced into taking industrial action, and you feel that you may not therefore be able to maintain your payments, you must contact your mortgage company. You need to tell them you will be involved in industrial action and that you won’t therefore be able to make payments during that period. Your company will of course be aware of our action and of your occupation, and should agree a revised payment schedule with you. Remember, it’s not in their interest to repossess homes; they’d far rather have your payments every month and will therefore assist you in this process. WHAT ABOUT MY PENSION? Members have never taken action yet whether nationally or more recently, locally, where members have not only had that service count as pensionable service, but have also had the right to work the time lost at the end of service, or if that's not possible, to buy back pension entitlement, and this will of course be one of the central planks of any negotiated return to work settlement. For those members who'll be age barred from continuing in service, and are naturally worried that this will substantially affect their pension entitlement, the rules of the pension scheme provide some re-assurance. Firstly, your pension is based on your 'Average Pensionable Pay’, which is, as the name suggests, pensionable pay averaged over the twelve month prior to your retirement date. If you are not receiving any pensionable pay for part of that twelve months however, then a pro-rata formula is applied so that the effect of the missing service on the calculations is eliminated. Secondly, if your final twelve months produces a lower figure than either of the two previous years, then the earlier period which produces the best figure would be substituted. So, as last year's rise was particularly dismal, the value of your pension will not therefore be hugely affected. For our Emergency Fire Control Officers in the LGPS, the position is different only in that payments will have to be made to account for missed contributions from members and employers: to buy back the missing period of service you will have to pay contributions of 16% of the pay which you would have had during the strike. CAN I BE SACKED OR LOCKED OUT? The simple stark truth is, yes. The current employment law states that you have a contract with your employer, and if you break that contract, the employer is entitled to dismiss you, but only after they have complied with lengthy procedural requirements. This is a left-over from the darkest days of Thatcher’s reign, and had the very obvious purpose of frightening workers into voting no in the ballot, and is indeed written on the enclosed sample ballot form. However, since this legislation was enacted, no FBU member who has taken strike action has had their contract terminated, and as recently as the Merseyside strike, even the employers there (at that time, probably the most reactionary of the bunch) shied away from this course of action. As to lock outs, this is a tactic a few of the employers may attempt, but just think how that would look in the press with our members queuing up to go back to work and the employers refusing us access! Not to mention how the rest of our members who had just returned to work would possibly react. MY CHIEF OFFICER SAYS… The short answer is; ‘who cares what they say.’ However, unless it’s to offer support for our claim, tell them as politely as you feel able, that apart from attempting to undermine our campaign in the current period, and scabbing on us if we do strike, this affair, as with many other issues, is between us and our employers and is none of their business. They play no part in negotiations; don’t have a seat on the National Joint Council; and have absolutely no role in this affair. You could always ask to see their payslip I suppose. Our fight is with our employers, not with members of the organisation calling itself CACFOA, who, despite calling themselves ‘The Professional Voice of the Fire Service’, continually strive to disprove that title, by failing to understand their peripheral role in this dispute. Finally, remember that this claim is for all members of the FBU. It’s for all Emergency Fire Control Officers; Firefighters of all ranks whether working the whole-time duty system or the Retained system, and that everyone has a stake in this fight, from the oldest hand to the newest recruit. Even if you went through the ‘last lot’ in ’77 and have only a few months until retirement and probably won’t gain much in your own pay or pension, you’ll be leaving a decent level of pay for those who’ll follow, which is what the old hands did back then…what goes round comes round. Members should feel confident that the traditional plight of poor pay in the Fire Service can be eradicated once and for all this year. The employers have shamefully run away from their responsibilities at the National Joint Council, while the Government hides behind the fact that they have traditionally denied public sector workers decent pay to deny us fair pay; professional pay. So support your union and support your campaign to ensure that you can support you and yours in the coming years. Vote YES to end poverty pay; Vote YES for professional pay; Vote YES for £30k! Andy Gilchrist, General Secretary. September ‘02 |
Posted at 25/9/2002 23:38 by sparky999 POLITICIANS URGE STEPS BE TAKEN TO STOP STRIKELAURA GRANT Firefighters have been warned that lives could be lost by strike action as Scotland's fire cover is reduced to a quarter of its normal level. Local government body Cosla has attacked the proposed action in the wake of reports that a strike would see Scotland's 600 civilian fire appliances and 9,000 part-time or volunteer crew replaced by 160 ageing Green Goddesses manned by 1,300 military personnel. If 24 or 48-hour strikes begin at the end of October, it has been reported that Grampian's 70 civilian fire appliances will be reduced to just 13; Tayside's 60 cut to 14; Highlands and Islands 133 dropped to 8; and Central Scotland's 37 cut to 13. It is also claimed there will be just eight sets of heavy cutting equipment to help rescue car crash victims trapped in their vehicles throughout the whole of Scotland. Cosla's president Pat Watters said a strike is "totally avoidable" and will urge the Fire Brigade Union to hold off for the results of an independent Government inquiry, which may result in more pay and resources for firefighters and an improved service for the public. "The fire union leadership say that they cannot wait for a couple of months. Too much delay," Mr Watters said. "But those months could be the difference between life and death for some families in this country. Which is more important - those lives or a couple of months' delay?" "Make no mistake. If the union turns its back on an independent inquiry which could resolve this dispute and rushes ahead into a strike, lives and homes will be at risk." The FBU has rejected a 4% pay rise and is demanding a near 40% increase to take salaries from £21,500 a year to £30,000. Mr Watters went on: "The FBU have consistently refused to review conditions of service. We have been unable to agree on pay and reform - despite many meetings over months." "But why should this disagreement lead to a strike by the union that imperils the lives of the public? "The alternative fire cover provided in a fire strike will not be as good as the service currently provided. "I think the public will not understand why a strike call and ballot cannot be delayed for a few months until we see the results of the inquiry." Royal Navy personnel will be used to cover Central Scotland, but the region's firemaster is concerned by the prospect of having only one rescue vehicle to cover all road accidents. "All of our appliances have equipment to cut people out of their cars safely," said John Early. "If this strike happens, people will have to wait longer to be cut free while fires will have longer to become established because the military can't hope to match civilian response times." Appliances in Grampian, the Highlands and Tayside will be manned by Royal Air Force staff who are undergoing basic fire training. Firemaster for the Highland and Islands Fire Brigade, Brian Murray, stressed that no decision has yet been taken on industrial action, but said the brigade was working on contingency plans in case the strike goes ahead. Mr Murray said: "We have huge logistics problems in the Highlands and Islands, as we cover Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and we are looking very carefully at these for our contingency plans. We have to consider all of the 33 locations that may be affected. "Plans have not yet been finalised about where any military vehicles would be located, although Inverness is our main concern." It is thought that Aberdeen will get just four Green Goddesses to replace its 12 civilian appliances, while two Army engines will be based in Elgin and a further two in Peterhead. Despite the potential increased risk, John Curran, secretary of the Fire Brigade Union in Grampian, said he believed public support was still with the firefighters. "I can't predict how the public attitude may or may not change, but I can say that my members are up for this," he said. "We are sick and tired of providing a vital service like this on the cheap. "There is no doubt that the standard of service provided by the Army will be well below what we currently provide, but the reality is that the public can't believe that fully-qualified firefighters, after four years of training, are being paid wages as low as they are." The figures have been met with concern by Scottish politicians who are urging steps be taken to stop strike action before it effects public safety. North-east MSP Richard Lochhead said: "Given the implications for fire cover in Grampian and throughout the country, clearly a strike should be avoided at all possible cost. "The fire service have a cause for grievance to be addressed and the Government and others should devote their energy to achieving a resolution of this current dispute. "I am sure Grampian firemen would rather see an amicable situation than life of property put at risk due to inadequate army cover." SNP MSP for the North-east Brian Adam said: "Inevitably the public are going to be put at risk and we need to get both parties round the table to resolve this. To do that we need the Government to show some financial commitment. "The firemen are determined not to settle for 4%, but I don't think the public should be held to ransom." Dundee East MSP John McAllion added: "No one wants a strike, least of all the FBU. I am 100% them and 100% behind the right of people to strike. "If you remove that then we don't live in a democracy. "There is a way to resolve this before it reaches that stage and that it to give the firefighters what they are asking for." The result of the ballot for strike action will be announced in late October. |
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