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<p> </p><p>The levels of crewing available for each authority, whether or not during
periods of strike action, are dependent upon a number of factors. These include the
duty system being worked locally, availability of on-call firefighters and, during
strike periods, local contingency arrangements, which are the responsibility of each
fire and rescue authority. The Department collects details of appliance availability
from local fire and rescue authorities on a confidential basis. The arrangements for
business continuity planning during strike action are kept under review by the Chief
Fire and Rescue Adviser.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The principles of the recall
to duty protocol, published as National Joint Council for Fire and Rescue Services
Circular NJC/09/13, were agreed between the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, the Fire
Brigades Union and the National Employers. Appendix 1 applies to fire and rescue authorities
in England and makes clear that the Chief Fire Officers are responsible for arrangements
locally, in accordance with their service's major incident policies. I am confident
that should there be a major disaster, striking firefighters would return to work.</p><p>
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