Cumbria thanks Royal Dragoon Guards

Cumbria County Council today paid tribute to the work of the Royal Dragoon Guards who have provided temporary fire cover in parts of Cumbria during the Fire Service Industrial Dispute. Speaking at a meeting of the Council in Kendal earlier today, County Councillor Jack Richardson, Cabinet Spokesman for Safety Services, said 

"To date there have been in total 12 days on which the FBU have been on strike. In Cumbria that caused the closure of the full five time fire stations at Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Whitehaven and Workington along with a small number of Retained Stations. 

Throughout strike periods fire cover across Cumbria was maintained thanks to both the Retained Stations and personnel who continued to work and especially by the efforts of the Royal Dragoon Guards, who operated from temporary fire stations in each of the towns primarily affected. 

It is true to say that in Cumbria we were fortunate not to have a major fire to fully test the extent of cover being provided by the military, but I am pleased to say they coped well with all that did occur during strike periods. Heightened Fire Safety awareness meant that the general public and business took greater fire precaution measures, which also helped tremendously. 

Whether further strikes will occur we simply don't know, but what is clear is that military support for this County is unlikely to be provided by the Royal Dragoon Guards. Their current tour of duty, which included their time here in Cumbria, ends at the end of this month. Those who served this County so well will shortly return to Germany where the Battalion is based. 

I am sure Council will want to join me in expressing our gratitude both on behalf of the public of this county and the Council itself to the Royal Dragoon Guards for their excellent efforts in keeping Cumbrians safe during the recent strike periods and send them our best wishes for the future."