A firefighter claims proposed changes to employment contracts will require staff to take on the roles of paramedics and social workers.
The Aberdeen whistleblower, who did not want to be named, said that under the new proposals people suffering cardiac arrests will now be treated more often by fire crews.
And staff fear they will be tied up at medical incidents with ambulances potentially being rerouted to other emergencies when they know fire crews are working on patients.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service wants firefighters to have a “wider role” while being trained under a four year programme to “respond to the new risks facing the people of Scotland”.
This includes dealing with severe weather events and even helping casualties caught up in terrorism.
Fire chiefs say they are offering a generous pay rise and that the new proposed contract would prepare firefighters for “new challenges”.
But the whistleblower said much of the increase offered would be swallowed up with additional life insurance costs due to the extra duties involved.
Part of the offer, seen by the Press and Journal, reads: “For too long your pay has been eroded in real terms and we believe you deserve better.
“The new proposed firefighters role would include emergency medical response (EMR), multi agency response (terrorism), responding to environmental events, wider youth and social prevention work and inspection and enforcement responsibilities.”
This week, Fire Brigades Union members passed a unanimous vote of no confidence in the service’s chief officer and his senior leadership team.
The Aberdeen firefighter said: “We are already so stretched and this will take more time away from going out and saving lives.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to hates it.”
But David Farries, deputy assistant chief officer for the north of Scotland, said: “We exist to save lives and ensure wellbeing, and we can better achieve that by realigning our stations, equipment and people to the needs of a modern Scotland.
“We are also proposing a new firefighter role so they can prevent and respond to new risks. As well as being full fully trained and equipped, we are proposing a significantly improved recognition package to reflect this wider role.
“However let me be clear that this is a proposal. We will now enter into formal negotiations with staff and unions, and believe we can reach the right outcome for our firefighters and the people of Scotland.”
The ‘Your Service … Your Voice’ consultation can be accessed at: www.firescotland.gov.uk/transformation/public-consultation.aspx
