Caithness.org News Bulletins -  October 2002

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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.

During strike action the public is asked to:-

* Still dial 999 in the event of a fire

* Do everything they can to stop fire before it starts

* Ensure they have a working smoke alarm

* Take special care when cooking especially with chip pans and hot oil

* Take care when smoking and put it right out

* Be very careful with matches, lighters and candles

* Take special care to look after children, the elderly and the vulnerable

* Think about their fire escape plan now

The proposed days of strike action (all beginning and ending at 9.00am) are :-

* Tuesday 29 October - Thursday 31 October (48 hours)

* Saturday 2 November - Monday 4 November (48 hours)

* Wednesday 6 November - Thursday 14 November (8 days)

* Friday 22 November - Saturday 30 November (8 days)

* Wednesday 4 December - Thursday 12 December (8 days)

* Monday 16 December - Tuesday 24 December (8 days)