Emergency plan in place (From Penarth Times)

Emergency plan in place

AN EMERGENCY plan is in place for Penarth as local fireman prepare to strike for the first time in 25 years.

The first stage of industrial action starts on Tuesday when stations across the Vale will remain unmanned for 48 hours.

The Fire Brigade Union is threatening a series of strikes from next week until Christmas Eve in a bid to secure a 40 percent pay increase.

But how will the strikes affect Penarth?

Assistant Chief Constable, David Francis, of South Wales Police, said: "The South Wales Police are preparing to implement contingency plans which are being drawn up in line with national guidance and in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence and other emergency services."

He added that the main job of the police would be to provide escorts for the Green Goddess army fire engines and en-route radio communications for the military crews.

This will allow the crews to reach the scene as quickly as possible and ensure the safety of the public.

But the government has admitted Green Goddesses are inadequate to cope with the demands of all emergencies.

South Wales will have 40 of them, which are 50 years old, to cover the whole area. The government wants emergency cover from firefighters if there is a serious problem when the strike takes place.

All fire stations are expected to close in South Wales although the Retained Firefighters Union has opted to not ballot for strikes.

Some union members believe retained stations would close because of the fear of retribution for not striking.

There is not likely to be another pay offer until December because of the differing views of unions and the government's firm line.

And with the FBU and the RFU taking different lines the dispute could last two to three months.

Some commercial, industrial and public buildings might have to close on strike day.

Strike one is set to be staged between 9am on October 29 and 9am on October 31.

Another 48-hour strike is planned from 9am on November 2, to 9am on November 4.

Action would then be stepped up with a series of eight day strikes: November 6 to 14, November 22 to 30, December 4 to 12 and December 16 to 24.

All would start and end at 9am.