Hundreds of part-time firefighters in Cumbria will be paid more under a new salary scheme aimed at increasing recruitment.
There are around 470 retained firefighters in Cumbria, crewing nine in ten of the county’s fire engines. Last month, Cumbria County Council agreed to invest an extra £400,000 in a new salary scheme on top of money already being paid to retained firefighters.
Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service is currently in discussions with personnel and unions over the introduction of the new scheme which replaces a retainer and call-out fee that has been in place since the 1940's.
It follows problems around the county with recruiting retained firefighters on fluctuating pay levels.
The new salary scheme will boost pay for vast majority of Cumbria’s retained firefighters and measures to protect existing pay levels for any remaining personnel are also being discussed.
The salaries, which will be phased in over the next four years from April 2007, will depend on how many call-outs a station gets with firefighters at the busiest stations receiving the most pay.
The package planned in Cumbria is similar to a scheme already operating in Lancashire where 84 per cent of firefighters saw an increase in their pay following its introduction.
More money has also been earmarked for retained firefighter training.
Cumbria Deputy Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: “This new salary scheme will mean more pay, more flexible working hours and a guaranteed income for Cumbria’s retained firefighters.
“The extra investment in pay also means that serving as a retained firefighter will become a more attractive proposition for the new generation of recruits which we to attract.”
The new salary scheme will be introduced on a pilot basis in three fire stations from April 2007 and will be rolled out across the county over the next four years.
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