New Shift pattern for Bedfordshire.

[Golden]

I've just seen this on the BBC. I didn't know that Beds had agreed this change and its the same as a system that's been in operation in Scandinavia - 24hrs on 72 off. I must admit it slipped under the radar as the union hadn't made any complaints about the changes; I wonder why!! Good luck to the guys - be prepared for an influx of part time FR assessors in the northern home counties.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-17066178

[Mike Buckley]

Doess this mean beds back on stations?

[Golden]

Hi Mike, I don't think the beds ever went away for most brigades - GMC being the major exception but it caused all sorts of problems. To  be honest there's not a lot else to do in the wee small hours and the Ffs may as well get their heads down; my main problem with this came about because of the idiocy of projects such as the London's 'privacy for all' which meant an individual room/no shared showers for each person on shift rather than the old dormitories. This cost a fortune and created a huge amount of problems for management for absolutely no tangible return.

I'd heard about this shift system from a Norwegian guy a few years ago and at the time thought how wonderful it sounded from a ff's point of view - I just couldn't believe it would catch on in the UK. From a management point of view its also sensible with less shift changes, so better continuity and reduced overtime costs, etc. the only downside being if you have a major incident then the same crew may have to attend a couple of times in the same shift.

[Mike Buckley]

I would agree when I was in charge of a watch and station the thought of bored fireifghters at 3.00 am was pretty terrifying. However it does appear to be an about face for the politicians moan about paying people to go to sleep. (they ignore the people on standby issue!)

[nearlythere]

Hi Mike, I don't think the beds ever went away for most brigades - GMC being the major exception but it caused all sorts of problems. To  be honest there's not a lot else to do in the wee small hours and the Ffs may as well get their heads down; my main problem with this came about because of the idiocy of projects such as the London's 'privacy for all' which meant an individual room/no shared showers for each person on shift rather than the old dormitories. This cost a fortune and created a huge amount of problems for management for absolutely no tangible return.

I'd heard about this shift system from a Norwegian guy a few years ago and at the time thought how wonderful it sounded from a ff's point of view - I just couldn't believe it would catch on in the UK. From a management point of view its also sensible with less shift changes, so better continuity and reduced overtime costs, etc. the only downside being if you have a major incident then the same crew may have to attend a couple of times in the same shift.

Are we creeping back to the old, old days?
They say everything goes full circle.

[Clevelandfire 3]

yeah we are. remember when politicians were banging their desks rambling on about how people shouldnt be paid to sleep. chief officer puppets quickly removing beds and replacing them with chairs designed to rest weary firefighters. firefighters just sleep in the chairs instead. i ask you. oh look it seems we are getting beds again. different shift patterns though. few brigades are now proposing it apparently.