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It has been claimed moves to force Britain to adopt the European Working Time Directive would leave a part-time, retained fire service “unviable” because it would be illegal for anyone to work for more than 48 hours a week.
Retained fire fighters, many of whom hold down full-time day jobs on top of their commitment to the fire service, make up 56 per cent of the county’s fire fighters and earn on average between £5,000 and £8,000 a year for agreeing to be available for up to 120 hours per week.
There is also the issue of driving hours and the rest time drivers are meant to have, particularly retained fire fighters who drive HGV’s in their day jobs and also drive the fire engines.
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