TWO firemen expelled from their union for holding full-time and part-time retained firefighter jobs claim that the Fire Brigade Union's policy could be denying Lancashire emergency cover.

Alan Spencer, of Slaidburn Avenue, Rawtenstall, has been stationed as a full-time fireman at Rawtenstall since 1974.

The Fire Brigade Union expelled Alan, who has been a union representative in the past, for taking a post as a part-time retained firefighter, which means he is on stand-by for calls to Rawtenstall.

He said: "The union has no objections to people from outside the fire service having jobs. The policy dates back to the 1970s and is outdated. I live only five minutes from the station, so to me it makes sense to have me as the retained fireman.

"If I was not doing the job the pump could be off the road, and the people of Lancashire would not have the cover."

John Riley, of Fern Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, has been a full-time firefighter at Blackburn for 11 years. He was thrown out of the union for taking up a position as part-time retained fireman at Oswaldtwistle in May.

John said: "If I hadn't taken the job, chances are that the position would still be vacant and Oswaldtwistle would not have cover.

"Now I'm in the job, the engine is on the run for most of the time. If I wasn't doing it the engine at Oswaldtwistle would be off the road, and that could be a life or death situation. I'm not doing the extra work for money. There is a shortfall in retained cover in the area, so I decided to apply for the job at Oswaldtwistle.

"I saw an opportunity to serve the local community, and at the end of the day it's about saving lives."

John claims that other firemen are being discouraged from taking up similar positions. He said: "I know there are other firemen willing to do it but they are being put off by by the union stance."

A similar situation sparked off the strike in Liverpool.

A secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, Tony Harris said: "The regional committee made a decision to expel them because we have a clear and distinct policy.

"The men were aware of this before they took up their positions as retained firemen. It was simply a policy decision to expel them."

Asked whether or not the policy could mean vehicles being off the road, Tony replied: "From time to time we do have difficulty recruiting retained staff. That means that sometimes the pumps are off the road But it is a nationwide problem."

John and Alan also claim that the chairman of Lancashire Fire Brigade Union, Martin Gallagher, is working as a full time and retained firefighter at Ormskirk fire station.

In reply to this Tony Harris said: "There are four stations in Lancashire which, because of their duty systems, allow this as part of our conditions of service.

"If John and Alan want to they have the option of transferring to one of these stations."

Tony admitted that the policy may need changing, but said: "The way to change a policy is to have a debate.

"I wouldn't disagree that it might need changing, but the way to do it is hold a proper debate and let the majority of members decide one way or the other."