Mike Evemy backs retained fire fighters

2.23.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 3rd Apr 2009

Mike Evemy discusses retained fire fighters with a resident.

Mike Evemy North Wiltshire prospective Lib Dem MP is calling for life saving fire and flood cover across North Wiltshire to be protected.

Mike is backing Lib Dem MEP Liz Lynne who has launched the battle to protect retained, volunteer fire fighters. Their vital services are threatened by a Labour Government deal with the European Parliament.on the EU Working Time Directive.

The UK Government's enforcing this. Directive without an opt-out for the firefighters will have a devastating effect on fire cover in market towns and rural areas across north Wiltshire.

The Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to protect the firefighters by saving the UK opt out.

"Fire cover across Wiltshire is threatened because Labour have failed to save the opt-out the fire fighters need.

We'll fight to protect them so they can protect all of us" said Mike Evemy, prospective Liberal Democrat MP for North Wiltshire.

He added; "This will mean longer response times and put lives at risk if fire fighters cannot be on-call for as long as they are needed."

Many parts of north Wiltshire will be affected including Calne, Corsham, Box, Rudloe, Colerne, Malmesbury, Lyneham, Cricklade and Wootton Bassett as well as smaller villages.

These areas are covered by the following fire stations:

● Calne

● Corsham

● Malmesbury

● Wootten Bassett

Back our campaign to get the Government to do the right thing and keep our local fire stations open. Sign the protest petition at: www.keeptheoptout.com

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The EU Working Time Directive is designed to protect workers from being forced to work unfairly long hours.

But it also includes people on-call, even if they are not at work.

This could hit retained fire fighters, who spend a lot of time on-call, no matter how often they are used.