Union says fire chief must choose between two roles

Devon and Somerset Fire Chief Lee Howell must be given a straight choice between a full-time role in Devon and Somerset and a position in Wales, the Fire Brigades Union have said.

Howell’s new position as part-time fire advisor to the Welsh Government was revealed earlier last month.

Devon and Somerset Fire Brigades Union Brigade Secretary Trevor French said: “The public and fire crews of Devon and Somerset deserve a full-time fire chief; especially at a time when the service appears to be spiralling out of control.

“For the sake of fire safety here and in Wales, the authority must make sure the service has full-time leadership, particularly in a time of such extensive and dangerous cuts.

“It’s time for Mr Howell to choose: either he works to improve the safety of Devon and Somerset, or that of Wales. Doing both is not fair on anyone and cannot be an option.”

Mr French also said that the fire authority must answer three key questions:

- Have much has the fire authority reduced the CFO’s salary by in recognition of his reduction to part-time status?
- If the fire authority hasn’t reduced his salary, does the £44,000 a year Howell will receive from the Welsh Government equate as replacement pay for the time spent away from Devon and Somerset?
- If the chair of the authority believes his new role would only involve “making the odd phone call” in his own time, does the fact that it will be two days a week change his position?

Following the appointment, the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority said Mr Howell's commitment would be two days per week over a period of two years. Mr Howell told BBC News after his appointment was announced, that the work would be done in his own time.

Councillor Mark Healey, chairman of the fire authority insisted the union's concerns had been addressed. As quoted by the BBC, he said:

"Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is in fine operational shape even though we are working with less government funding."

"There are a lot of organisations out there that wish they had such commitment from their head of paid service.

"The suggestion that the service is in chaos is ridiculous, as is the suggestion that the chief resigns."

Mr Healey said many chief fire officers had additional responsibilities and also shared responsibilities on a national level.

"In short, what we have here are people trying and working their hardest on behalf of and for the public with less funding.

"So, instead of throwing rocks, let's all role our sleeves up for the good of the public."