Firefighters say morale 'dangerously low' over staff levels and safety

UNION SAYS THERE IS 'SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF CONFIDENCE' IN CHIEF

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

FIREFIGHTERS in Nottinghamshire claim there is “critically low morale” and “safety concerns” among staff.

Members of the local branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) say they have “a significant loss of confidence” in management at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The union has written a letter to the service’s chief fire officer, Craig Parkin, on behalf of its members, who voted in favour of the no confidence verdict.

“Morale across the service is described by members as dangerously low,” the union’s brigade secretary Stephen Tucker wrote in the letter, seen by the Post.

“Sickness levels are currently above the national average, further eroding operational resilience and placing additional pressure on those remaining on duty.”

The union says the letter is intended to hold the fire service's leadership to account and improve morale among staff.