duckpond
New member
With our fire service going on strike there has been a lot of comparison between how much firefighters and police officers are paid. Does anyone know how much our coastguard are paid?
Firemen and coastguards
- Thread starter duckpond
- Start date
Athene V30
Active member
I recall seeing an advert in the local paper for a job as a costguard and seem to remember it paying about £20k.
I have never had to use the coastguard in anger but their patient responses to the never ending sunday aftrenoon calls on vhf 16 for a radio check makes them worth every penny!
I have never had to use the coastguard in anger but their patient responses to the never ending sunday aftrenoon calls on vhf 16 for a radio check makes them worth every penny!
> costguard and seem to remember it paying about £20k.
One difference is that many full time fire fighters work in our larger conurbations where housing costs are higher.
Personally I think firemen could be paid more if we cut back their numbers by dropping this ridiculous British habit of sending out two engines no matter how trivial the call.
In France if someone phones up saying they think they smell smoke a customised transit van is dispatched with a 3 man crew.
One difference is that many full time fire fighters work in our larger conurbations where housing costs are higher.
Personally I think firemen could be paid more if we cut back their numbers by dropping this ridiculous British habit of sending out two engines no matter how trivial the call.
In France if someone phones up saying they think they smell smoke a customised transit van is dispatched with a 3 man crew.
HMCG
New member
Coastguard Officers are paid considerably less than 20k.
A Watch Assistant is paid £12500
A Watch Officer is paid £15000
A Watch Manager is paid £17500
All of these grades work in operations rooms. A Watch Manager is responsible for a team of up to 6 others made up of Watch Officers and Watch Assistants. We work a 42 hour week consisiting of a similar shift pattern to most firefighters - 2 dayshifts of 12 hours then 2 nightshifts of 12 hours then 4 days rest period. The pay I have quoted includes a shift disturbance allowance.
All officers in the UK are paid on the same pay scale. My colleagues on the south coast (where housing costs are just silly) are paid the same as those in wales or scotland where housing prices are considerably cheaper.
It has annoyed many officers that firefighters are claiming that they cannot survive on 22K ... how do you think I manage with 2 children and a pay of just 16K.
I think that we provide an excellent service which I hope you agree is value for money. Think about that the next time you ask for your third radio check in 10 minutes.
Remember a VHF can save your life.
A Watch Assistant is paid £12500
A Watch Officer is paid £15000
A Watch Manager is paid £17500
All of these grades work in operations rooms. A Watch Manager is responsible for a team of up to 6 others made up of Watch Officers and Watch Assistants. We work a 42 hour week consisiting of a similar shift pattern to most firefighters - 2 dayshifts of 12 hours then 2 nightshifts of 12 hours then 4 days rest period. The pay I have quoted includes a shift disturbance allowance.
All officers in the UK are paid on the same pay scale. My colleagues on the south coast (where housing costs are just silly) are paid the same as those in wales or scotland where housing prices are considerably cheaper.
It has annoyed many officers that firefighters are claiming that they cannot survive on 22K ... how do you think I manage with 2 children and a pay of just 16K.
I think that we provide an excellent service which I hope you agree is value for money. Think about that the next time you ask for your third radio check in 10 minutes.
Remember a VHF can save your life.
Chris_Stannard
New member
I do not believe anyone on this site has any doubts about the value of the service the coastguard provides, or the integrity, enthusiasm and dedication to say nothing of good humour with which you carry it out. My personal experience, on a couple of occasions when I have been involved in the rescue of others has convinced me of the need for your service. Please don't follow the Firemen's example but if you want me to write to my MP just say the word. I am sure many others would also support you.
Chris Stannard
Chris Stannard
> A Watch Manager is paid £17500
> is responsible for a team of 6
That's not reasonable. I think some professions just suffer from historical context.
> is responsible for a team of 6
That's not reasonable. I think some professions just suffer from historical context.
AndrewB
Well-known member
A volunteer service?
Its not the coastguards but the lifeboatmen who risk their necks.
And they are volunteers. Firemen please note!
Its not the coastguards but the lifeboatmen who risk their necks.
And they are volunteers. Firemen please note!
HMCG
New member
Re: A volunteer service?
You have obviously never been rescued by auxiliary coastguards from the face of a cliff. They are also volunteers and are paid less than RNLI crews.
Remember a VHF can save your life.
You have obviously never been rescued by auxiliary coastguards from the face of a cliff. They are also volunteers and are paid less than RNLI crews.
Remember a VHF can save your life.
G
Guest
Guest
Re: A volunteer service?
Andrew
As a full time Firefighter and an ex crew member with the RNLI I can assure you that the quality of service offered by the two organisations is poles apart. RNLI crews are certainly keen and to be commended for their dedication but do not begin to compare with a full time emergency service in terms of skill level and response time. My lifeboat station responded to one call per month, on average, as a Firefighter I respond to 5 calls a day, excluding false alarms, many dealing with drunk and drug impaired individuals. I have personally resuscitated over 50 people in the Fire Service but no crew member on my lifeboat has ever given CPR for real. I have trained retained firefighters, comparable to RNLI crews (who ,incidentally, are paid for call outs although most waive their fee), and found the same discrepency exists.
With regard to sending only one appliance to a house fire, if the second is needed only once in a hundred times, it is often enough. 1 fatality costs £1.5m, a full time fire appliance costs £400k per year. Nobody with an understanding of risk response, including Fire Service employers, suggests that the current response levels should change.
Whilst I have been nothing but impressed when monitoring the Coastguards handling maydays it must be remembered that they do so from the security of a warm command centre. Nevertheless, I think the level of renumeration above is inadequate and reflects the general lack of recognition for people in "mundane" roles, as opposed to those who manipulate data with no tangible output other than their own inflated salaries. I do not agree with all aspects of my Unions pay claim and concede that it is over stated but I do feel our current stance has been brought about by employers' initial inertia followed by intransigence.
Regards
Andy
Andrew
As a full time Firefighter and an ex crew member with the RNLI I can assure you that the quality of service offered by the two organisations is poles apart. RNLI crews are certainly keen and to be commended for their dedication but do not begin to compare with a full time emergency service in terms of skill level and response time. My lifeboat station responded to one call per month, on average, as a Firefighter I respond to 5 calls a day, excluding false alarms, many dealing with drunk and drug impaired individuals. I have personally resuscitated over 50 people in the Fire Service but no crew member on my lifeboat has ever given CPR for real. I have trained retained firefighters, comparable to RNLI crews (who ,incidentally, are paid for call outs although most waive their fee), and found the same discrepency exists.
With regard to sending only one appliance to a house fire, if the second is needed only once in a hundred times, it is often enough. 1 fatality costs £1.5m, a full time fire appliance costs £400k per year. Nobody with an understanding of risk response, including Fire Service employers, suggests that the current response levels should change.
Whilst I have been nothing but impressed when monitoring the Coastguards handling maydays it must be remembered that they do so from the security of a warm command centre. Nevertheless, I think the level of renumeration above is inadequate and reflects the general lack of recognition for people in "mundane" roles, as opposed to those who manipulate data with no tangible output other than their own inflated salaries. I do not agree with all aspects of my Unions pay claim and concede that it is over stated but I do feel our current stance has been brought about by employers' initial inertia followed by intransigence.
Regards
Andy
yachtbits
Member
Errr.... Objection!!
while I fully support the comments on the underpaid, I do object to the trivialising of the RNLI.
I run my own business and crew for the RNLI. It invariably costs ME money to respond to my pager if it goes off in working hours.
Additionally our average, and consistent, response time to getting a boat on the water is around 7 minutes.
What I'm trying to get at, is yes you probably do deserve more, but don't knock us volunteers, as you are on this forum, you might just need us!!
kev
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtbits.co.uk>http://www.yachtbits.co.uk</A>
sales@yachtbits.co.uk
marine electrics & electronics
while I fully support the comments on the underpaid, I do object to the trivialising of the RNLI.
I run my own business and crew for the RNLI. It invariably costs ME money to respond to my pager if it goes off in working hours.
Additionally our average, and consistent, response time to getting a boat on the water is around 7 minutes.
What I'm trying to get at, is yes you probably do deserve more, but don't knock us volunteers, as you are on this forum, you might just need us!!
kev
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtbits.co.uk>http://www.yachtbits.co.uk</A>
sales@yachtbits.co.uk
marine electrics & electronics
Re: A volunteer service?
> With regard to sending only one appliance to a house fire
I did not suggest that, stop playing politics please!
A few telephone screening questions would quickly identify those situations where a 3 man mini crew would be a safe response.
On the one occasion I called out the UK fire service I specifically stated the situation did not require a full response. All that was needed was a fire officer with legal authority to break into my neighbour’s flat equipped with a portable extinguisher just in case the oven burst into flame. Instead I got 3 engines outside my flat and bored 12 firemen showing off to mothers and their little children.
The French fire service performs a broader role than its British counterpart. If 3 man fire crews are sufficient at times for an advanced nation like France, then the same is good enough and safe enough for me.
> they do so from the security of a warm command centre
If you think belittling the contributions others make to society will help you on you way to an absurd pay raise, think again. There is a limit to the goodwill you can milk out of public mis-perceptions created by Hollywood’s love affair with firemen.
> those who manipulate data with no tangible output other than their
> own inflated salaries
Who owns a yacht? You not me.
Who did I nearly buy a Rival 32 from this year – a fireman trading up to a 38 footer!
> With regard to sending only one appliance to a house fire
I did not suggest that, stop playing politics please!
A few telephone screening questions would quickly identify those situations where a 3 man mini crew would be a safe response.
On the one occasion I called out the UK fire service I specifically stated the situation did not require a full response. All that was needed was a fire officer with legal authority to break into my neighbour’s flat equipped with a portable extinguisher just in case the oven burst into flame. Instead I got 3 engines outside my flat and bored 12 firemen showing off to mothers and their little children.
The French fire service performs a broader role than its British counterpart. If 3 man fire crews are sufficient at times for an advanced nation like France, then the same is good enough and safe enough for me.
> they do so from the security of a warm command centre
If you think belittling the contributions others make to society will help you on you way to an absurd pay raise, think again. There is a limit to the goodwill you can milk out of public mis-perceptions created by Hollywood’s love affair with firemen.
> those who manipulate data with no tangible output other than their
> own inflated salaries
Who owns a yacht? You not me.
Who did I nearly buy a Rival 32 from this year – a fireman trading up to a 38 footer!
chippie
New member
Re: Yachtbits
Yachtbits, you forgot to insert your usual advertisment.Ihave come to expect them! ;-]
Yachtbits, you forgot to insert your usual advertisment.Ihave come to expect them! ;-]
Spacewaist
Member
Re: A volunteer service?
On what basis do you say a fatality costs £1.5 million? Costs who?
On what basis do you say a fatality costs £1.5 million? Costs who?
Spacewaist
Member
\"Heroes of the Sea take a bath in Post 9/11 idiocy
Jeremy Clarkson worte an excellent article int he Sunday Times on October 6th, called "Heroes of the Sea take a bath in Post 9/11 idiocy". Not entirely on point but made a good case that the world has gone mad.
Available on line if you want to spend a quid ..................
Jeremy Clarkson worte an excellent article int he Sunday Times on October 6th, called "Heroes of the Sea take a bath in Post 9/11 idiocy". Not entirely on point but made a good case that the world has gone mad.
Available on line if you want to spend a quid ..................
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
\'old on a sec
"Jeremy Clarkson" and "excellent article" in the same sentence? That's stretching the bounds of credibility too far!
"Jeremy Clarkson" and "excellent article" in the same sentence? That's stretching the bounds of credibility too far!
Bergman
New member
Re: A volunteer service?
I would in no way denegrate the volunteer crews of the RNLI or indeed the Coastguard, but I think your comment is a little of the mark.
I have seen the fire brigades operating in some of the worst possible circumstances, for example after the Manchester and Docklands bombs, and for sheer cold blooded courage they take a lot of equalling.
The claim as I understand it is for parity with the police, and on that basis is difficult to disagree with. Next time you see a serious RTA watch who it is that crawls into the wreckage to cut the victims out.
It will not be the police.
I cannot agree with strikes, never could, but I cannot think other than that these people have not had a square deal over the last few years.
I would in no way denegrate the volunteer crews of the RNLI or indeed the Coastguard, but I think your comment is a little of the mark.
I have seen the fire brigades operating in some of the worst possible circumstances, for example after the Manchester and Docklands bombs, and for sheer cold blooded courage they take a lot of equalling.
The claim as I understand it is for parity with the police, and on that basis is difficult to disagree with. Next time you see a serious RTA watch who it is that crawls into the wreckage to cut the victims out.
It will not be the police.
I cannot agree with strikes, never could, but I cannot think other than that these people have not had a square deal over the last few years.
sailbadthesinner
New member
Re: \'old on a sec
To be fair i remember it and it was a good point well madeunderstood old clarko is not everyon'e taste but he made a very good point about the rnli and the nature of their service and sacrfice.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene'.
To be fair i remember it and it was a good point well madeunderstood old clarko is not everyon'e taste but he made a very good point about the rnli and the nature of their service and sacrfice.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'you're making a scene'.
AndrewB
Well-known member
Why do people volunteer to save lives?
No price can be put on the heroism that either firemen or lifeboatmen display. Equally, such heroism brings its own rewards which are quite independent of money. Who else can claim to be so valuable to society as those who save lives? That is why lifeboatmen are willing to volunteer.
It is impossible to set rates of pay purely on the basis of emotive argument. If not enough good people are willing to become firemen, or the turnover is too high, then collectively we ought and will have to pay more for them, as with nurses. Otherwise the case is purely inflationary.
No price can be put on the heroism that either firemen or lifeboatmen display. Equally, such heroism brings its own rewards which are quite independent of money. Who else can claim to be so valuable to society as those who save lives? That is why lifeboatmen are willing to volunteer.
It is impossible to set rates of pay purely on the basis of emotive argument. If not enough good people are willing to become firemen, or the turnover is too high, then collectively we ought and will have to pay more for them, as with nurses. Otherwise the case is purely inflationary.
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
I am reminded
of a sticker on a Lake Districk Land Rover, a decade or so back.
"Join your local mountain rescue team. Britian's fastest growing sport"
of a sticker on a Lake Districk Land Rover, a decade or so back.
"Join your local mountain rescue team. Britian's fastest growing sport"
Spacewaist
Member
Law of unintended consequences
To save people their quids, the essence of Clarkson's article was:
1 - 9/11 has put up insurance rates dramatically
2 - The Freshwater Bay (I think) lifeboat is entirely voluntary. Has no running costs other than the diesel an oil it burns and insurance.
3 - Freshwater Bay Lifeboat is not funded by the RNLI - relies on pub collections and Garden Fetes etc.
4 - The insurance premium rates for public liability cover has trebled.
5 - Some do gooder on the Local Council has mandated that the Freshwater Bay life boat needs to increase its public liability cover from £1million to £10 million.
6 - Insurance premiums are now 30x last year's and are circa £50,000.
7 - NO CHANCE this is going to be raised from the public, so Fresh Water Bay Lifeboat will have to close.
8 - People will die unnecessarily.
To save people their quids, the essence of Clarkson's article was:
1 - 9/11 has put up insurance rates dramatically
2 - The Freshwater Bay (I think) lifeboat is entirely voluntary. Has no running costs other than the diesel an oil it burns and insurance.
3 - Freshwater Bay Lifeboat is not funded by the RNLI - relies on pub collections and Garden Fetes etc.
4 - The insurance premium rates for public liability cover has trebled.
5 - Some do gooder on the Local Council has mandated that the Freshwater Bay life boat needs to increase its public liability cover from £1million to £10 million.
6 - Insurance premiums are now 30x last year's and are circa £50,000.
7 - NO CHANCE this is going to be raised from the public, so Fresh Water Bay Lifeboat will have to close.
8 - People will die unnecessarily.
