Brian Murray, chief fire officer for the Highlands and Islands, has intervened for the first time in the row to warn that proposed changes to restrict working hours will make it virtually impossible to guarantee an emergency response.

His concerns are shared by politicians from the region who are now working to find a solution to the problem which stems from a recent vote at the European Parliament. If implemented, the Working Time Directive would prevent people from working more than 48 hours a week.

Such a measure would seriously hit fire cover in the region which relies on 95 retained stations — including Beauly, Drumnadrochit, Nairn and Fort Augustus — and 1500 part-time firefighters, most of whom have other jobs.

Following a meeting with Mr Murray and Fraser Parr, chairman of the Highlands and Islands branch of the Fire Brigades Union, the region's three Labour MSPs have taken up the issue. Inverness Lib-Dem MP Danny Alexander has also discussed the matter with an official at Brussels after meeting retained firefighters at Nairn.

Mr Murray pointed out the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service covered one-sixth of the UK. "We are very concerned about the potential consequences of losing the opt-out from the European Working Time Directive," he said.

"As the impact of the directive would severely restrict the availability of retained duty staff, it would make it virtually impossible to guarantee an emergency response."

He also warned there were serious implications for full-time officers at all levels which would impact upon the safety of staff and communities.

MSPs (left to right) Peter Peacock, Rhoda Grant and David Stewart with, in the fire appliance cab, Fraser Parr, chairman of the Highlands and Islands Branch of the Fire Brigades Union. Gary Anthony

"We would hope a solution can be found to allow our community-based workforce to continue to provide an effective and efficient fire and rescue service," he said, adding retained duty staff provided an exceptional cost-effective safety network and it was important that their community commitment was recognised and valued.

Mr Parr warned the directive could also affect full-time senior officers who sometimes work up to 78 hours a week — 42 hours "positive" and 36 hours on standby.

"What this exemption does is effectively counts the standby hours," he said. "We hope to pursue every avenue possible to get an exemption for the fire service on its own or all other emergency services."

Labour MSPs Peter Peacock, David Stewart and Rhoda Grant were confident that a solution could be found through the conciliation process currently being undertaken at European level. "People like to think the EU is unhelpful and unfriendly," Mr Peacock said. "Over the years, I have been backwards and forwards to Brussels — they have always tried to find a solution for the needs of the area."

Mr Stewart said the Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy was also aware of their concerns. "One of our top objectives is to ensure we get a resolution working with the UK government and colleagues in Brussels," he said.

* See Friday's Inverness Courier for an Inside Story investigation into the issue.

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