Prepared for the worst

INDUSTRY: Chemical sites halt overhauls

Western Europe's biggest petro-chemical complex is bracing itself for the first national fire- fighters' strike in 25 years.

Chemical companies have agreed a freeze on major overhaul work on plants at Seal Sands and Wilton, on Teesside, for the duration of the 48-hour stoppage, to reduce the risk of toxic escapes and fires.

High-climbing maintenance men have been grounded to avoid the risk of accidents, while installation safety inspections have been stepped up.

One remaining worry is how much of a liability the venerable Green Goddesses could prove to be.

Only diesel-powered appliances are allowed access to some of Teesside's more volatile sites because of the risk of fumes from a petrol engine igniting a leaking chemical.

One question which remained unanswered by the Army last night was how many - if any - of the vintage Green Goddesses being stationed on Teesside have been converted to diesel.

Dr Ian Click, chief executive of Teesside Chemical Initiative, said: "It is something we are aware of. Our first line of defence is to run the plants extremely carefully and safely. We will delay any of the more unusual operations, like shutting plants down or starting them up.

"It is when you change conditions on plants that things are more likely to go wrong. For instance, we do maintenance on plants. There is a range of these less-than-routine activities where we can lower the threshold of risk."

Companies have been double-checking automatic fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and fixed fire fighting installations.

Dr Click added: "No one is complacent."

CARE HOMES: Staff are trained for situations

Residential homes for the elderly are unlikely to be affected by tonight's fire brigade strike because of the extensive fire safety training staff have to undertake.

Workers in care homes on Teesside have completed firefighting courses at Grangetown Fire Station, learning how to tackle smaller fires using extinguishers.

"We have got to be so careful these days and need to be able to deal with anything that could happen as soon as possible for the benefit of our residents," said Tricia Hall, senior carer at Clifton House Residential Care Home, in Hartlepool.

"The fire strike is not too daunting for us because we undergo a very intensive programme of training and have fire drills every week."

Most homes are divided into sections, which are separated by heavy doors to stop flames from spreading.

Also, daily safety checks minimise the risk of fires starting.

Elderly residents' rooms are checked for any potential hazards, such as overflowing waste, overloaded plugs and faulty electrical items.

TRANSPORT: All clear, but travel with care

The region's two airports, Teesside and Newcastle, will operate as normal during the firefighters' strike.

Both airports have in-house fire and rescue teams, which are not affected by the industrial action.

They are also unaffected by a separate dispute involving fire and rescue staff at other UK airports, includ-ing Heathrow and Gatwick.

John Waiting, spokesman for Teesside Airport, said it would have three fire and rescue tenders and one on standby, and would employ additional staff on strike days to boost airport cover.

Rail unions have advised members not to drive if they have safety fears, but the region's train operators expect to run a complete service.

The RAC warned motorists to be extra careful, pointing out that Green Goddesses are not equipped with sophisticated cutting gear needed to extract crash victims.

The Highways Agency is to use electronic message signs on the motorway network on strike days, to say "Firefighter strike - drive with extra care".

SPORT: Fans will not be left disappointed

The region's sporting giants have already put in place a series of contingency plans to ensure fans are not disappointed during the strike.

All three Premiership football clubs will continue with match programmes.

With up to 130,000 fans pouring into the clubs on a weekend, officials have been working overtime to ensure any fire strikes do not jeopardise supporter safety.

At Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium, a spokesman said: "A situation has been discussed by the stadium safety advisory group, who have carried out a risk assessment. It was their decision that football fixtures can be hosted at the stadium during a strike."

Meanwhile, a spokesman at Sunderland's Stadium of Light said they had yet to draw up specific plans, but said they had held meetings with the local emergency services and there were no plans to cancel games.

At St James Park, a Newcastle United spokesman said stewards had been put through a rigorous re-training programme to be prepared for any eventualities

SCHOOLS: Business as usual for pupils

Schools across the North-East have been issued with general advice to reduce the risks of a blaze breaking out during the forthcoming firefighters' strike.

Durham County Council has called on appointed fire marshalls at all schools to remain fully alert and show extra vigilance during the period of the strike.

General advice has been issued to schools to avoid accumulation of rubbish and other potential fire hazards.

A spokesman for the education authority said: "It's basically business as usual. Schools are making individual fire assessments, but none will close.

"We have an 'extra-net' e-mail system to all schools to pass on specific advice.

"Some of the general advice includes things like turning off lights not in use, ensuring work stations are tidy and free of combustible material, checking safe storage of combustible goods, keeping fire doors shut and knowing where fire exits and alarms are situated."

Sunderland City Council recently urged headteachers, along with leisure centre and social services managers, to review existing risk procedures.

Newcastle City Council said: "Every service has had risk assessment carried out on their routine and it's just a case of being extra cautious."

Gateshead Borough Council has submitted a general 12-point safety plan to schools. Headteachers are urged to have information packs - including plans of the buildings, details of the location of fire hydrants, stopcocks, electric isolation points, and where hazardous material is stored - available to pass to temporary fire crews before they enter the site in case of an incident.

SHOPS: Patrols to operate as retailers' doors stay open

Shopping centres across the region were last night putting emergency plans in place ahead of tonight's proposed fire brigade strike.

Gateshead's MetroCentre, Darlington's Cornmill Centre and the Cleveland Centre, Middlesbrough, were all planning to stay open as normal during the strike.

Albion Small, manager of the Cornmill, said regular patrols of delivery areas would be taking place throughout the 48-hour strike, with staff being briefed to be extra vigilent.

He said: "We are waiting for guidance to be sent out by the fire brigade on what to do if there is a fire.

"But all the back areas in the centre, not normally seen by the public, will be patrolled every hour to make sure there are no fires."

Tim Hunt, operations manager for Middlesbrough's Cleveland Centre, said all shops would stay open.

"The thing to do in these situations is to be extra careful to prevent a ny fire starting in the first place," he said.

"Obviously, we will be taking extra precautions, such as provision to prevent the build-up of rubbish."

He said the alarms and sprinkler systems would be tested to make sure they were functioning normally.

Ron Woodman, general manager of the MetroCentre, said: "We have a contingency plan in place, have increased security patrols and extra training for our fire wardens.

"We will also try not to put additional pressure on the emergency services at this time by investigating fire alarms ourselves prior to calling the fire service.

BUSINESS: Simple steps could save lives

Businesses across the region were last night urged to take action to prevent workplace deaths during the national strike.

The Fire Protection Association (FPA) said simple steps by employers were vital to avoid an escalation in fatalities or injury among workers and damage to property from fire during the period of reduced firefighting cover.

The fire safety lobby group said the strike would have a serious impact on industry, commerce and the population as a whole.

Jonathan O'Neill, of the FPA, also called on householders to follow the advice.

''It is vital that businesses of whatever size and type prepare to take preventative, inexpensive simple steps to reduce the chances of fire breaking out at work,'' he said.

Procedures include checking that equipment such as smoke alarms, extinguishers and sprinklers are in working order; making sure that staff aware of safety plans; disposing of waste material correctly; ensuring that all smoking materials are properly extinguished; and carrying out fire safety checks last thing at night.