Firefighters from across Gloucestershire have gathered at a mass meeting in opposition to the county council forcing through “unjustifiable” changes to their working hours.

Around 70 firefighters attended a meeting called by the Fire Brigades Union at Gloucester North fire station this week, voting to oppose the imposed changes to shift patterns.

Firefighters say that these will take a toll on firefighters with childcare or caring responsibilities, and impact the health and wellbeing of the frontline.

However, fire chiefs say the proposed changes will enhance their service and they are committed to listening to feedback from affected firefighters.

Gloucestershire County Council plan will see firefighters shifts changed from nine hour days and 15 hour nights, to 11 hour days and 13 hour nights for wholetime community fire stations.

This means firefighters will work day shifts from 8am until 7pm instead of 9am until 6pm.

The FBU says the council has so far continued with the policy despite widespread concern raised by firefighters, with an unprecedented number of letters sent to councillors in the region, and the council’s scrutiny committee highlighting the need for a consultation with the workforce.

Kate Yhnell, Fire Brigades Union brigade organiser for Gloucestershire, said: “Firefighters will not stand by and allow the imposition of damaging changes to working hours. Seventy firefighters travelling across the region to attend a meeting in opposition sends a powerful message to the county council.

“Forcing firefighters to work longer days will take a huge toll on those with childcare or other caring responsibilities.

“Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service cannot claim to be supporting women in the workplace while making attacks on terms and conditions that disproportionately impact women.

“Threatening firefighters’ wellbeing and future in the service does nothing for public safety. Experienced firefighters being forced out of the service will deepen a crisis in understaffing, putting communities at greater risk.

“The county council must start listening to firefighters and reverse this unjustifiable decision.”

And Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said the county’s firefighters have sent a clear message that they are determined to fight these shift pattern changes.

“We have seen firefighters standing in unity across the region, sending an unprecedented number of letters to councillors and turning up in huge numbers to oppose the policy,” he said.

“Firefighters continue to raise serious concerns about the impact of the new shifts on women, parents and carers in the service.

“These changes will impact their wellbeing, finances and mental health, while doing nothing to improve the service for the public or the workforce. Gloucestershire County Council must see sense and stop attacking firefighters’ terms and conditions.”

Nathaniel Hooton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said the service was extremely proud of the county’s firefighters and the work they do everyday in saving lives and helping the most vulnerable.

“The service continues to have open, honest and meaningful conversations with trade unions and representative bodies,” he said.