Report - Fire Brigades Union

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SECTION H — EDUCATION The new FBU education and learning website – www.fbueducation.org – was launched in October 2010. It hosts information on the FBU national trade union education programme, while each region has its own page to publicise local and regional TU courses and lifelong learning. Information on the ULF project, lifelong learning and the FBU learning centres is also covered as well as a comprehensive library of education material and documents. The website also has a dedicated area where union members can access a dyslexia screening tool (Quickscan) with support from a trained ULR/official – the first across the FRS community. The FBU continues to deliver courses though our learning centres in the north east. However, the centre in Tyne and Wear FRS became a victim of a funding shortfall and closed. In order to continue delivery of Learndirect and other courses a restructure of the remaining centres and staff took place and they continue to operate on a regional basis from Northumberland FRS and Cleveland FRS. The learning centres have also become part of the UK Online network and work with a number of community groups to help people who have never used a computer before and make their first journey on the internet. SULF, NIULF and WULF Changes to the funding allocation in Scotland saw a successful project application made to the STUC Learning Development Fund. The project delivers sign language and dyslexia awareness courses and promotes a culture of lifelong learning in the Scottish FRS. The publication of a new strategy document to address the workplace skills gap in adult literacy and numeracy in Scotland will see the project reviewing its work in this area. The FBU learning development manager sits on the advisory group of Scottish Union Learning. With the current funding due to finish in April 2011, the STUC Learning Forum is putting together a new bid for funding from the Scottish Executive and the European Social Fund (ESF). The Northern Ireland union learning project manager has organised courses in deaf awareness, computer studies, sign language and drug awareness. WULF has successfully delivered a number of courses in the three Welsh FRSs during the last year and FBU members took part in the pilot delivery of the health and safety distance learning course. The WULF strategic steering committee reviews progress and assists in setting the agenda for future development and has met three times during the last year. A further application for three year’s funding from WULF has been submitted and the outcome is expected in the near future. Regional FBU projects have taken place and continue in Region 5 and Region 13 – with a stand-alone project in Cornwall. All three projects deliver learning opportunities and advice for FBU members using funding made available through Unionlearn. Finally, the executive council would like to place on record its thanks to all the members of the ULF committee and learning centre staff for their work over the last year. FBU national union learning committee: Sean Starbuck (national officer), Dave Green (executive council member up to being elected national officer) Dave Limer (executive council), Ian Murray (executive council), Trevor Shanahan (national ULF manager), Adrian Slassor (ULF finance manager), Andy Brickles (project support organiser), Graham Humphrey (project support organiser), Steve Brinkley (project support organiser), Tim Davis (project support organiser), Bob Fitz-Gerald (project support organiser), Trevor Cave (FBU director of education), Jock Munro (SULF regional manager), Lynda Rowan O’Neill (NIULF regional manager), Nigel Williamson (WULF regional manager), Claire Wealleans (FBU learning centre manager), Lorna Taylor (FBU Skills for Life advisor/tutor) and Lara Hindhaugh (ULF administration assistant). During the last year the union learning committee has held six meetings. H10 Officer members’ seminar 2010 Once again, to try to build on past achievements the officers’ national committee (ONC) held the AGM of officer member representatives on a seminar basis at Wortley Hall, South Yorkshire on 14-15 April 2010. More than 40 attendees came from across most regions of the British Isles, and the seminar was seen as a huge success being both current and informative in its content. Bro Andy Dark, FBU assistant general secretary, opened the seminar and welcomed all delegates. Ann Jones, a Welsh Assembly Member and a former FBU CSNC chair, gave a passionate account of the progress in Wales of legislation to make compulsory the installation of sprinklers in the home. Participants commended her determination to improve safety in the home for both residents and firefighters. FBU education officer Trevor Cave led a very topical and enlightening session on officer recruitment and retention. Some delegates described the real difficulties faced in establishing effective industrial relations within their own brigade. Other members were able to demonstrate that, with flexibility and determination, positive working relationships can be forged. National officer Sean Starbuck provided real food for thought on the application and management of development rates of pay. National opinion is divided but there are some more enlightened principal managers who recognise that an employee engaged in a development post will usually be delivering the full expectations of that role and should be remunerated appropriately. The second day of the seminar was opened by FBU fire safety advisor Dave Sibert with a presentation on the impact of removing national attendance time standards and the resulting 148 FBU Annual Report 2011
SECTION H — EDUCATION variations in response times across the UK. Dave also gave examples of the consequences of reduced weight and response when attending confirmed fires. Judging by the end of course feedback forms the seminar was a huge success and the first step towards increased member involvement, organising and education. This presentation was supplemented and supported by Rob Martin, ONC member for Region 8, who spoke about the problems encountered when fighting fires in high-rise buildings and voiced concerns about sporadic regulatory enforcement of measures intended to assist firefighters dealing with incidents. Sean Starbuck closed the seminar by summing up the political situation and emphasising that as the only credible voice with the resources and the commitment to secure improvements to conditions of service and members’ health and safety, we should all strive to maximise levels of officer membership within the FBU. H11 Control members’ seminar 2010 The control staff national committee (CSNC) in conjunction with head office arranged the first seminar of its kind for control members which was held at Wortley Hall, South Yorkshire on 14-15 April 2010. More than 30 attendees from brigades around the UK were testament to the fact that such a seminar was needed in order to develop future strategy and build awareness of control issues. The seminar was opened by Bro Andy Dark, FBU assistant general secretary. The seminar was run concurrently with the officers’ national committee (ONC) seminar and some speakers were shared between the two groups. Ann Jones, Welsh Assembly Member and a former FBU CSNC chair, gave a passionate account of the progress in Wales of legislation to make compulsory the installation of sprinklers in the home. Ann also entertained us with anecdotes of her time on the CSNC and some of the struggles she had during her time in the section. Ivan Walker from Thompsons Solicitors gave an informative update on the changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme, once again making a dry subject interesting and informative. Bro Sean Starbuck gave a joint session together with the ONC on workforce development issues. We also had a session delivered by a National Union of Journalists member on media awareness which members found very interesting given the increased demands on local officials and members to speak to the press and get our messages across as clearly and concisely as possible. Bro Andy Dark chaired the final session on future strategy for control issues which generated a lot of group interaction and feedback. FBU Annual Report 2011 149
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Report - Fire Brigades Union

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