The Bain report into the future of the fire service has recommended an 11% rise in firefighters' pay over two years coupled with radical reform of working practices.
The main points of the review:
An 11% rise in firefighters' pay over two years - a 4% rise this year (backdated to November 2002) followed by 7% from November 2003 Scope for individual authorities to agree local additions to pay to address local problems which cannot be dealt with by the main pay system Radical modernisation of working practices Firms could be charged for false fire alarm calls Insurance companies could be charged for the cost of fire crews attending road accidents Extra medical training for firefighters to give them basic life support skills, including training in the use of automated defibrillators Savings through natural wastage with plans not to replace every firefighter who retired - estimates suggest this could involve around 3,500 fewer jobs over three years Retained firefighters should be trained to the same standard as regular firefighters so that they provide a resource interchangeable with that of their full-time colleagues A new body should replace the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council (CFBAC) for England and Wales There should be a new collective body to act as a forum to discuss the practical implementation of policy changes and operational reforms. 
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