Firefighters banned from using ladders

James Cunliffe

Firefighters have been told they cannot use their ladders to take down festive bunting because it is too dangerous.

Ampthill held its annual Gala Day in July and to mark the occasion the historic market town was festooned with colourful bunting.

In previous years fire brigade officers have pitched in after the event to help remove the decorations.

But this year, nearly four months later and the bunting is still in place.

Former Mayor Cllr Mark Smith said: 'The reason the festival bunting is still up arises from the fact that due to local health and safety advice the local fire brigade is unable to take the bunting down.'

On his web blog Cllr Smith, who is a member of the festival committee, added: 'The festival committee has always appreciated their (the fire crews') assistance in the past and is working towards getting them (the decorations) down. Although I still find them quite cheery!'

Cllr Smith has apparently received complaints that the bunting flags are now getting a bit tatty.

On the Ampthill Forum, where residents air their views about the town, some are bemused that the fire fighters seem to have been allowed to put the bunting up but cannot take it down.

Disgruntled resident Charlie Garth said: "What the blazes. I'm sure our brave firemen aren't frightened about falling off a piddling little ladder. They have never looked afraid of heights to me.

"After all they are used to climbing giant turntable ladders withr choppers in their hands and rescuing cats from the tops of tall trees."

Deputy chief fire officer Graeme Smith said: "Yes it sounds like the world has gone mad. Firefighters will climb ladders to rescue people from burning buildings but not to remove bunting after a festival.

"One is a 999 job where in order to save lives we will take calculated risks.

"The other is a property maintenance job which is covered by standard health and safety rules which we would have to abide by, the same as everyone else.

"That could mean closing the road and using a platform to reach the bunting.

Unfortunately if we went down that route people might ask why we are paying firefighters to use our top level rescue equipment to remove a few flags, when a local contractor could do the job just as well."