horizontal platforms
On 17 September it was announced that the London Fire Authority is to approve plans to remove "horizontal platforms" from fire stations. The "horizontal platforms" as they are officially described, otherwise known as beds, are provided for firefighters who currently work 15 hour shifts from 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 a.m. All 5800 staff will be moved from 15 to 12 hour shifts. One senior source is reported in the Evening Standard as saying "Do you know any other occupation where people are able to sleep on duty?". On a (briefly) more serious note the obvious reality is that firefighters perform an invaluable function and the idea that they work 12 let alone 15 hour shifts is (in the writer's humble opinion) a cause of huge concern. Although they can cause inconvenience for employers, many employment laws exist for a very good reason and the Working Time opt-out for firefighters is currently under review in Parliament.
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