Companies
could be charged for using the Fire Service under reforms announced today
(Monday).
An
independent inquiry into pay and working conditions in the Fire Service, led by
Sir George Bain, finds that £300m could be raised towards improving the pay of firefighters
by charging firms for safety advice and false alarms.
Bain
also recommends that additional HR staff should be taken on at a local level to
help manage and lead the modernisation programme and Fire Service staff are
given additional medical training at a cost of £15m over the three years to
2006.
It
also highlights possible cost savings through lifting the overtime ban and the
introduction of flexible working.
