In a recent House of Lords debate it was identified how the new EU driving regulations could have a negative effect on the territoral army and retained fire fighters.
Lord Greaves enquired
'My Lords, with regard to retained fire services, the retained firefighters cannot arrange when they go out with their machines; they have to go out when the fires occur. Will the Minister give us an absolute assurance that these regulations will not in any way affect the operation of retained fire services, where they exist?'
Lord Bassam of Brighton responded
Retained fire fighters are exempt.
My Lords, there are two points here. First, it is clear that the EU regulation has not been identified as having a significant impact on the ability to recruit or retain retained firefighters. Secondly, drivers volunteering as retained firefighters are exempt from the new EU regulation when dealing with an emergency.
We thank RFU HQ for supplying us with this information.
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