Firefighters' 'fury' at Devon and Somerset fire chief's part-time appointment

Lee Howell, Chief Fire Officer of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has been appointed as the Welsh Government’s Fire and Rescue Adviser with Her Majesty’s Inspector status. He will be seconded from his Fire and Rescue Service on a part-time basis. He will take up his post on 12 August 2013.

The appointment has been met with fury by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), angry at what they see as the effect on morale that Mr Howell's new part-time status will bring.

One of three Chief Inspectors/Fire Service Advisers within the United Kingdom (one each for Wales, Scotland and England), Mr Howell will be undertaking the role on secondment based on a commitment of up to two days a week, over two years.

Announcing Mr Howell’s appointment, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Local Government and Government Business said:

“I welcome the appointment of Lee Howell to the Fire and Rescue Adviser post. Lee brings with him a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills needed to undertake the post and will continue to hold his post as Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

"I believe that this will give a fresh perspective to the Adviser role, providing the opportunity to share and learn from each other and across borders. As a serving Chief, Lee will understand the need to deliver effective services during these times of challenging budget cuts. “

The role includes providing advice on operational matters, guidance and technical policy issues, as well as performance, equality and diversity. The role will also provide valuable support and advice to Welsh Ministers and officials during major emergencies.

Responding to the news, South West Fire Brigades Union official Tam McFarlane said:

“Firefighters across Devon and Somerset are furious at this news.

“Fire crews and the public deserve a full-time fire chief, not a part time, ad hoc arrangement.

“We’re still reeling from the announcement of massive cuts to frontline services in the face of overwhelming public and professional opposition.

“At a time of unprecedented cuts and overwhelming public concern, surely the needs of our service   – and the firefighters who are trying to deliver it – come first?”

FBU Devon and Somerset official Bob Walker said: “This decision is yet another kick in the teeth for our fire crews at a time when morale has never been lower.

“Running our service is not a part time job, and this is an insult to everyone who works here.

“Did the fire chief know when he reassured us a few weeks ago that public safety wouldn’t be compromised by his cuts that he would soon be taking up part-time work in Wales and leaving our Service in the lurch?”

The news comes just weeks after Lee Howell oversaw a controversial decision to agree cuts to the fire service across Devon and Somerset. The cuts, which were passed by Devon and Somerset Fire Authority on the 11 July, include reducing full-time fire cover at several fire stations across the region. The decision means 149 frontline firefighters posts (almost 1 in 5 fulltime posts in the entire brigade) will be cut, according to the Union.

Lee Howell, who has been Chief Fire Officer of Devon and Somerset since January 2009, said: "I am truly delighted to have been appointed as the Welsh Government's Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser and Inspector for Wales. In this role, I am looking forward to providing high quality independent advice based on 25 years public, private and charity sector experience in order to support the Welsh Government in its work.

“I have strong family connections in Wales and understand and respect the passion and pride Wales has as a confident nation, driving forward change, whilst at the same time, being rightly proud of its past. I look forward to contributing to its future.

“I am also looking forward to building even stronger relationships between the Fire and Rescue Services in Wales and the Welsh Government as we collectively tackle some extremely challenging issues whilst continuing to provide the high quality public services the people of Wales rightly expect."