Taxis carrying firefighters' kit

Sep 27 2005 By Tony Deeley, Evening Mail

TAXIS are being used at public expense to ferry firefighters' uniforms and safety gear between stations, it was revealed today.

The situation has arisen following the introduction of new shift patterns as firefighters have been sent from their home stations to others to cover for sick colleagues

A firefighter today confirmed at least one case last week where a crew member's kit - which includes helmet, tunic, boots and gloves - had been sent on by taxi at a cost of more than £12.

Stations with fire vans had since been ordered by West Midlands Fire Service bosses to use them to transport the kit but when no van was available taxis were the only alternative.

"This is public money being wasted. I cannot believe it is happening. It is a joke," he said. "It happened to a member of our crew last week. He refused to take his kit so they ordered a taxi to deliver it to the other station. The journey cost more than £12."

The man said he also heard of an instance where a kit was sent from one station to another only for the firefighter involved to be told on arrival that his services were not required but needed at a separate station.

"He had to get the taxi to take his kit there," he said. West Midlands Fire Service Divisional Officer Archie Wheldon said today: "The organisation has considered using taxis as an absolute lastditch effort to move kit.

"A firefighter without his kit cannot be utilised to the maximum benefit of the public.

"Firefighters are paid an allowance to move their kit and, on certain occasions, they can be paid an enhanced allowance.

"While we encourage all our staff to do that and hope that they would, there are times when that does not occur.

"Non-uniformed colleagues are on flexible hours to move equipment around the brigade and kit is part of that."