Contingency plans are being made to protect the public in Fife in the event of the first national firefighters’ strike in a decade.
The result of a UK-wide ballot on industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union is expected to be known by the end of this week.
Iain Vincent, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service local senior officer in Fife, said arrangements were being made to provide emergency cover in the region in the event of a strike being called.
He told members of Fife Council’s fire and rescue service transition committee that there would be no return to action for the Green Goddesses that were rolled out and manned by the armed forces during the 2002/03 firefighters’ strike.
No details were given of what cover would be provided but Mr Vincent said: “There are contingency plans being made. The one difference this time is there would be no Green Goddesses. It would be Scottish Fire and Rescue Service vehicles getting used to provide cover.”
The green-painted former military fire engines, which are more than 50 years old, have since been sold.
The FBU is in dispute with the Government over changes to firefighters’ pensions. It claims that changing the normal retirement age to 60 will put firefighters’ at greater risk of dismissal if they are unable to maintain fitness standards until then.
Firefighters also face a steep increase in contributions.
Mr Vincent said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board and strategic leadership team are making as much movement as possible to make provision for a form of fire service if strike action was to be taken.
“If strike action is announced, these arrangements would be sped up and the details published. We would get information out about what provision would be available in Fife.”
The idea of forcing frontline firefighters to work until the age of 60 was condemned by the committee convener Neil Crooks.
He said: “It has to (have been devised) by someone who knows nothing about the fire service and everything about money. Our sympathies lie with our colleagues in the fire service.
“This attack on the firefighters’ pension scheme is irresponsible of this Government. It’s really quite unfortunate that they have to resort to withdrawing their labour to protect their pensions.”
The ballot will close on Thursday, meaning a strike could be held as early as next Friday.
Fire minister Brandon Lewis has insisted the fire service pension will remain one of the best in the public sector, with those on a salary of £29,000 receiving £19,000 at age 60 after a full career.
Those who retire at 55 would still receive a fair pension, he claimed.