CLAIMS lives could be put at risk by new EU laws – which will limit the hours retained firefighters can work – have been rubbished by fire chiefs.

Under new rules, which will force all British workers to adopt the European Working Time Directive, retained fire fighters can only be on call for 48 hours a week – not 24/7.

That figure includes not just the hours a crew member is fighting fires or attending road crashes, but the hours they are available for an emergency call-out.

This will affect firefighters at Waltham, Caistor, Market Rasen, Binbrook, North Somercotes, Louth and Mablethorpe.

The new rules – which Britain has so far opted out of – will take effect in three years, after MEPs voted against the exemption continuing.

However, Dene Sanders, Humberside Fire and Rescue's assistant chief fire officer, said they already ensured retained firefighters – including those at Waltham – had adequate time off in line with the directive's rules.

He said: "We have, for some time, been aligning the working arrangements for staff on this system to ensure they have adequate rest.

"These staff provide excellent cover across areas of the service where we don't have full-time stations, and we would not wish to see them having to work hours which could adversely affect their health and safety.

"Historically there had been some staff who provided cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, we changed contracts several years ago to move away from that position.

"We have also been piloting a new system which will enable staff to have programmed rest periods, and will enable us to meet the requirements of the European Working Time Directive.

"Therefore the effect of the recent vote in the European Parliament regarding this issue is something which shouldn't negatively affect our future plans.

"We are currently working with the Chief Fire Officers' Association to ensure that any other issues within the legislation are accounted for, and have provided a response to them directly as they are pulling together details of working practices across the country.

"We feel however, that as a service, we are well-prepared for any implementation and fire cover will not be put at risk in any way."

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue's assistant chief fire officer, Brendan O'Kane, said it was too early to see how staff would be affected.

He said: "If the proposals are adopted, there will be three years before any changes are implemented, during which we can plan any changes accordingly."

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