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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Southend fire crew suspended for cling film 'joke' | Southend fire crew suspended for cling film 'joke' |
| (1 day later) | |
| A fire crew has been suspended from community work after a firefighter wrapped two children in cling film. | A fire crew has been suspended from community work after a firefighter wrapped two children in cling film. |
| The incident, which involved the children of a crew member, was caught on camera at a fire station in Southend. | The incident, which involved the children of a crew member, was caught on camera at a fire station in Southend. |
| Essex Fire Service is investigating after the BBC notified it of photographs sent by a concerned party. | Essex Fire Service is investigating after the BBC notified it of photographs sent by a concerned party. |
| The chief fire officer said the images had "raised concerns" and a "thorough investigation" was under way. | The chief fire officer said the images had "raised concerns" and a "thorough investigation" was under way. |
| The service said the watch had been put on "core duties only", meaning it cannot carry out community work. | The service said the watch had been put on "core duties only", meaning it cannot carry out community work. |
| The children's mother said what happened "was intended as a joke" and the youngsters enjoyed it. | The children's mother said what happened "was intended as a joke" and the youngsters enjoyed it. |
| The incident happened two weeks ago. Five people, including the two children, were present when the photographs were taken and their mother later posted them on Facebook. | The incident happened two weeks ago. Five people, including the two children, were present when the photographs were taken and their mother later posted them on Facebook. |
| The youngsters were wrapped in plastic by a colleague of their father. | The youngsters were wrapped in plastic by a colleague of their father. |
| Their mother, who is not being named in order to protect the privacy of the children, said it was a joke. | |
| She added: "I can see that this was not an appropriate activity, and we should not have played around like this at the fire station." | She added: "I can see that this was not an appropriate activity, and we should not have played around like this at the fire station." |
| 'Embarrassed and regretful' | 'Embarrassed and regretful' |
| Chief fire officer Adam Eckley said although he encouraged "family spirit", stations were still "a workplace" where behaviour "must reflect our service values and exemplify professionalism". | Chief fire officer Adam Eckley said although he encouraged "family spirit", stations were still "a workplace" where behaviour "must reflect our service values and exemplify professionalism". |
| He said: "The photos we have seen have raised concerns, we have liaised with the appropriate statutory agencies and a thorough investigation and process has now started. | He said: "The photos we have seen have raised concerns, we have liaised with the appropriate statutory agencies and a thorough investigation and process has now started. |
| "The firefighters involved are embarrassed and regretful of how this event has been interpreted. | "The firefighters involved are embarrassed and regretful of how this event has been interpreted. |
| "It does not give the right impression to our public, and it is not who we are." | "It does not give the right impression to our public, and it is not who we are." |
| Roger Hirst, the police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, said: "I am clear that the behaviour shown in these photos is inappropriate and requires a thorough and robust investigation." | Roger Hirst, the police, fire and crime commissioner for Essex, said: "I am clear that the behaviour shown in these photos is inappropriate and requires a thorough and robust investigation." |