Fire Engines Photos

I'm curious. Has the UK abandond fire officer rank? The term "Station manager" sounds like someone in a long brown smock watching over a group of underlings.

Added by Bob Grant on 01 January 2008.

Bob, it is of course another case of 'Politcal Correctness gone mad'. You cannot be a Fire BRIGADE anymore only a Fire Service as a BRIGADE has too much of a miltaristic sound. Hence you cannot have Fire OFFICERS any more only 'managers'.

In many UK Brigades the top position is now held by a non-uniform executive appointed from outside of the fire service.

Added by Barry on 01 January 2008.

Im not in the fire service, but as far as I understand they have changed roles like Sub Officer and Station Officer for Watch Manager and Station Manager. Its probably politically-correct people wanting the fire service to sound like a business. Thanks

Added by David Sapsford on 01 January 2008.

Interesting comments. Bob, The Government in the UK has changed lots of things within the Fire Brigade (Service) under what it terms as " Modernisation " when in actual fact its a massive cost cutting exercise. Part of the " Modernisation " was to move from rank to role and this was when all the names changed and the likes of " Crew, Watch and Station Managers " appeared. Dont agree myself but they seem to like it.

Added by Paul Warnock on 01 January 2008.

Thank GOD I'm an American LEIUTENANT in the Fire Service and WILL BE until I retire. Changing the terms like that is just way, way beyond any type of correctness. It wouldn't surprise me if our former Chief hadn't at least suggested it somewhere. SHE, did away with as many traditions as she could tho. We are limited on the lengths of our mostaches (supposed to be very short), my son could not follow in my footsteps in OUR Fire Dept, etc, you get the picture. Now somebody in Canada (Brit. Columbia?) will get to deal with her. What's next? Do away with the term "Incident Commander"?

Added by TheFireman on 01 January 2008.

Hey TheFireman, shouldn't that be Fire Department! They have been progressively changing the 'culture' of our Police Service (Force) over here and dismantling everything that has worked for decades, ,

Added by Pavel - Western Australia on 02 January 2008.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.