Finding the time for two jobs is a skoosh for firemen

A WEDDING conductor, a sweet shop worker and a ghillie are a few of the hundreds of second jobs being undertaken by the Capital's firefighters when they're off duty.

As many as one in three full-time firefighters working with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service are employed in roles such as limousine drivers, models, lifeguards and nutritional therapists.

Documents revealed to the Evening News show that 240 firefighters have been approved to take on a second job. There are around 780 full-time employees with the service. Retained firefighters, who have full or part-time jobs but act as on-call staff to respond to emergencies when they are needed, are not included in the list.

The news comes after several firefighters based in London were criticised for boasting that they would be working as taxi drivers and in other roles during a strike on Bonfire Night.

Firefighters are able to take a second job due to the nature of their shift work, which allows them to have between two and four days off in one sitting.

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The documents show that staff ranging from general firefighters to crew and watch managers have taken a second job to supplement their income.

Roles listed include working as a voiceover artist and a professional knitter. Firefighters are also employed as window cleaners, bar staff, gardeners and fitness instructors.

The most popular job is a taxi driver, with 34 firefighters signing up to drive in their spare time.

Van and HGV drivers, bar staff and handymen are also popular occupations.

Firefighters earn around 30,000 per year, while crew managers and watch managers earn between 33,000 and 35,000.

Fire staff and unions today defended their right to take on a second job, saying that, as long as it does not affect their firefighting duties, it is a personal choice.

The Fire Brigades Union's Scottish secretary John Duffy told the Evening News: "I think it says a lot about work ethic, rather than anything else. It is up to firefighters if they want to provide for their family and provide extra food on the table. It's part of their private lives, the European Union allows firefighters to do it, and as long as it doesn't hinder their performance at work it isn't an issue.

"There are many jobs, including consultant surgeons and accountants, who operate the same practice."

A firefighter with Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, who didn't want to be named, added: "I've heard that a lot of lads in London get a lot of stick for having a second job, but it's not much of an issue. As long as you're on the ball and alert when you have to work, it's nobody else's business.

"I don't have a second job because of other commitments, but I have considered it. My colleagues seem to do fine juggling two roles."

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said it respected a worker's decision to take on another job. She pointed out that Scottish firefighters were not taking any strike action.

She said: "We respect the right of our employees to take a second job in their spare time, but we do require all whole-time employees who wish to undertake secondary employment to make an application for permission to do so in accordance with our guidelines which have been agreed by Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Board.

"Part of those guidelines state employees have an obligation to report for duty sufficiently rested to allow them to undertake their duties without compromising either their own or their colleagues' efficiency or health and safety."

Local resident Michael Traill, who submitted a Freedom of Information request to obtain the figures, added: "Given that they have such an intense job, it's surprising that they have enough energy left to work on their days off.

"I understand that there are procedures in place to deal with staff who allow their second jobs to interfere with their fire service role, but such problems are extremely rare."

How they supplement their income

• Taxi driver

• Painter and decorator

• Window cleaner

• Valet

• Hoover and washing machine repairs

• Karate instructor

• Erecting headstones and monuments

• Looking after bowling green

• Light vehicle maintenance

• Driving for a funeral director

• HGV driving

• Fitness instructor

• Production of UPVC windows

• Swimming teacher

• Wall and floor tiling

• Aircraft dispatch

• Agricultural assistant

• Website designer

• Cycle courier

• Leisure club worker

• Assisting in garage shop

• Tennis coach

• New and used cars salesman

• Gallery technician

• Steward at football matches

• Loading racehorses into stalls

• Civil marriage celebrant

• Wedding photographer

• Classroom assistant

• Parcel deliverer

• Voiceover artist

• Nutritional therapist