The Suffolk Fire Experience - Doc 468 Free electric Blanket Testing Lowestoft Fire Station 2007
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SUFFUCK FIRE SERVICE
Memorandum
Operations command
From: DO Hodge
To: Ff Y
Normanshurst
Date: 15th February 1999
Reference: Your Grievance heard by me on Friday 12th February 1999
I write to confirm the outcome of my hearing of your grievance on the above date. Specifically that I uphold ADO Saward’s decision made, following his hearing your grievance at Normanshurst on Friday 5th February 1999.
You expressed to ADO Saward that you were aggrieved at his decision to revert you to your substantive rank of Firefighter on Monday 1st February 1999. This being because when you were initially temporarily promoted to Leading Firefighter with effect the 27th September 1998, by ADO Fuller, you were informed this would be “until the return to full duties of Leading Firefighter Paul Brown”. L Ff P Brown has still not returned to work full duties and you were therefore aggrieved at the decision.
ADO Saward clearly stated in his memorandum to you his decision was based “on the grounds of equality and fairness to all”. As you have now carried out the role of Temporary Leading firefighter for in excess of 4 months, and as ADO Saward had recognised that there are other personnel on the station who would benefit from such an opportunity, I fully support his decision.
Further, my understanding of the situation is that the circumstances that ADO Fuller felt appertained, at the time of the sickness of L Ff P Brown, have now changed. Specifically he believed that the period of sickness would be relatively short. Indeed it was partly for this reason that he did not wish to make any temporary watch changes involving a firefighter who had already passed the appropriate assessment, and had been found to be suitable for promotion to the rank of Leading Firefighter.
With the prolonged and continuing absence of L Ff P Brown, ADO Saward felt it necessary to take the action he did to allow a firefighter so qualified the opportunity to gain appropriate experience. Indeed ADO Saward is actually implementing Brigade Policy in so far as general Order OP 25 paragraph 3.1 states that “wherever possible recommendations for temporary promotion will be planned and linked to the promotions list and appraisal system.”
You also indicated to me that you felt aggrieved that the status quo arrangements in Paragraph B (1) 12 of the Local Grievance and Disputes Procedures (Uniformed Employees Excluding Officer ranks) had not been invoked. Specifically you stated that ADO Saward’s idea of what the status quo entailed, differed to everyone else’s view. ADO Saward’s hearing of your grievance was NOT about the arrangements that do or do not exist whilst a grievance is being heard, but specifically to do with the issue of his reverting you to your substantive rank of firefighter.
ADO Saward took advice prior to implementing the decision that you would not remain a Temporary Leading Firefighter whilst the grievance was heard. His subsequent decisions were based partly on this advice, and as such your accusation that his subsequent order to you was not lawful, is not in my view correct.
During my hearing of your grievance, you raised the issue of the status quo. Having taken further advice on this matter I can confirm that the decision of the Brigade remains that you will not hold the temporary rank pending the outcome of your grievance.
I therefore confirm that I support the decision of ADO Saward to revert you to firefighter with effect from the 1st February 1999.
I would also wish to make clear that the decision in no way reflects upon the duties that you performed during your period of temporary promotion.
Should you wish to discuss this matter any further with me, please contact me at BHQ on x 8914
CF Hodge
Divisional Officer
SUFFUCK FIRE SERVICE
Memorandum
Operations command
From: DO Hodge
To: Ff Y
Normanshurst
Date: 15th February 1999
Reference: Your Grievance heard by me on Friday 12th February 1999
I write to confirm the outcome of my hearing of your grievance on the above date. Specifically that I uphold ADO Saward’s decision made, following his hearing your grievance at Normanshurst on Friday 5th February 1999.
You expressed to ADO Saward that you were aggrieved at his decision to revert you to your substantive rank of Firefighter on Monday 1st February 1999. This being because when you were initially temporarily promoted to Leading Firefighter with effect the 27th September 1998, by ADO Fuller, you were informed this would be “until the return to full duties of Leading Firefighter Paul Brown”. L Ff P Brown has still not returned to work full duties and you were therefore aggrieved at the decision.
ADO Saward clearly stated in his memorandum to you his decision was based “on the grounds of equality and fairness to all”. As you have now carried out the role of Temporary Leading firefighter for in excess of 4 months, and as ADO Saward had recognised that there are other personnel on the station who would benefit from such an opportunity, I fully support his decision.
Further, my understanding of the situation is that the circumstances that ADO Fuller felt appertained, at the time of the sickness of L Ff P Brown, have now changed. Specifically he believed that the period of sickness would be relatively short. Indeed it was partly for this reason that he did not wish to make any temporary watch changes involving a firefighter who had already passed the appropriate assessment, and had been found to be suitable for promotion to the rank of Leading Firefighter.
With the prolonged and continuing absence of L Ff P Brown, ADO Saward felt it necessary to take the action he did to allow a firefighter so qualified the opportunity to gain appropriate experience. Indeed ADO Saward is actually implementing Brigade Policy in so far as general Order OP 25 paragraph 3.1 states that “wherever possible recommendations for temporary promotion will be planned and linked to the promotions list and appraisal system.”
You also indicated to me that you felt aggrieved that the status quo arrangements in Paragraph B (1) 12 of the Local Grievance and Disputes Procedures (Uniformed Employees Excluding Officer ranks) had not been invoked. Specifically you stated that ADO Saward’s idea of what the status quo entailed, differed to everyone else’s view. ADO Saward’s hearing of your grievance was NOT about the arrangements that do or do not exist whilst a grievance is being heard, but specifically to do with the issue of his reverting you to your substantive rank of firefighter.
ADO Saward took advice prior to implementing the decision that you would not remain a Temporary Leading Firefighter whilst the grievance was heard. His subsequent decisions were based partly on this advice, and as such your accusation that his subsequent order to you was not lawful, is not in my view correct.
During my hearing of your grievance, you raised the issue of the status quo. Having taken further advice on this matter I can confirm that the decision of the Brigade remains that you will not hold the temporary rank pending the outcome of your grievance.
I therefore confirm that I support the decision of ADO Saward to revert you to firefighter with effect from the 1st February 1999.
I would also wish to make clear that the decision in no way reflects upon the duties that you performed during your period of temporary promotion.
Should you wish to discuss this matter any further with me, please contact me at BHQ on x 8914
CF Hodge
Divisional Officer
posted by Bert Blythburgh at 8:43 AM
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