Notts, South Yorks, Derbyshire: Stand-in fire crews kept busy over weekend

Firefighters are Worksop Fire Station protest about their pensions. Picture: Andrew Roe

Firefighters in Notts, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire walked-out over a long-running row over pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) picketed outside Worksop Fire Station on Friday and were joined by Bassetlaw MP John Mann.

The station still provided a basic level of firefighting cover during the strike but 999 responses were limited.

On Friday 2nd May, contingency crews were on stand-by from noon until 5pm.

The 12 hour strike on Saturday resulted in 18 incidents in Notts including three grass fires, a bin fire, car fire and a building fire in Bulwell.

In South Yorkshire, 11 emergency calls were attended.

One of the most serious was a car crash on Bawtry Road at Wickersley at 5.18pm.

Seven people were taken to hospital by helicopter and ambulance after being cut free from the wreckage.

On Sunday 4th, crews were on strike between 10am-3pm and they dealt with two kitchen fires within an hour in Notts.

Chief fire officer at Notts Fire and Rescue Service, John Buckley, Tweeted ‘37 incidents dealt with by contingency crews. Normal resources now in place.’