Caithness.org News Bulletins -  October 2002

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Fire Brigade Strikes Information
Fireworks Warning

Communities in the Highlands and Islands are being strongly urged NOT to organise bonfires or fireworks displays in the lead up to Guy Fawkes Night on Tuesday 5 November when the Fire Brigade Union will be on strike. Brian Murray, Firemaster for the Highland and Islands Fire Brigade, is particularly anxious that this advice is observed on Saturday 2 November or Sunday 3 November, when the FBU has called its second 48-hour strike.

He said: "My strong advice is for the public to attend organised community events on Tuesday 5 November, when there will be full fire cover. This time of year is always a high risk period for injury caused by bonfires and misuse of fireworks. The risk is heightened significantly this year because of the prospect of industrial action by firefighters.

"The military are preparing to assist where they can and whilst their dedication will not be questioned it must be accepted that they do not have the same level of skills, equipment and training as our professional firefighters. For this reason we must all try and reduce the levels of risk to ourselves and others."

Northern Constabulary echo this message and urge the public to make them aware of any "unauthorised" bonfires being built in their community, which might be causing concern.

Whenever a bonfire is planned the following advice should be adhered to:

• Site well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs AND ALWAYS AWAY FROM FIREWORKS.
   

• Before lighting the fire, check that no pets or children are hiding inside it.
   
• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side.
   
• NEVER use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire.
   
• Don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint or bottles.
   
• Keep everyone away from the fire – especially children, who must be supervised all the time.
   
• For an emergency keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.
   
• Pour water on the embers before leaving.
   
• Bonfire present additional hazards when it’s dark.

In the event of a fire, the public is still urged to telephone 999. Calls will be channelled to a Joint Operations Co-ordination Centre set up at Northern Constabulary’s Inverness Area Command Centre at Burnett Road, Inverness. It will be run by the Firemaster and his depute, Tony Munro, as well as staff from the police, ambulance, military and council.

Mr Murray will be contacting as many community groups, organisations and businesses as possible to alert them to the strike action and to highlight the need for great care at this time.

• 0900 hours Tuesday 29th October to 0900 hours Thursday 31st October (48 hours)

• 0900 hours Saturday 2nd November to 0900 hours Monday 4th November (48 hours)

• 0900 hours Wednesday 6th November to 0900 hours Thursday 14th November (8 days)

• 0900 hours Friday 22nd November to 0900 hours Saturday 30th November (8 days)

• 0900 hours Wednesday 4th December to 0900 hours Thursday 12th December (8 days)

• 0900 hours Monday 16th December to 0900 hours Tuesday 24th December (8 days)