April 25, 2013
The FBU has said that a major fire in a Plymouth car workshop shows why planned cuts to frontline fire cover in the city are “folly” and should be withdrawn immediately.
Five pumping appliances from the city attended the fire which took place at a range of industrial units in Miller Court, Millbay, Plymouth. Continue reading →
April 22, 2013
“Risking their lives in a city in decline, with low pay and substandard equipment – sounds familiar” says FBU general secretary Matt Wrack
The European premiere of a new film about Detroit firefighters is being sponsored by the Fire Brigades Union. BURN captures a year in the lives of Detroit firefighters who are charged with the thankless task of saving a city that many have written off as dead. Continue reading →
April 12, 2013
Firefighters who are injured at work are entitled to and should seek compensation, says the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), after recent criticisms of emergency service workers for seeking compensation for injuries sustained at work. Continue reading →
April 9, 2013
The Fire Brigades Union has condemned cuts and shift changes in Mid and West Wales, which saw Llanelli fire station downgraded and firefighters told to stand down with only an hour’s notice.
Llanelli fire station has been downgraded to self-rostered crewing (known as day crewing plus), despite repeated objections by the FBU, the local MP, the local Welsh Assembly member, local fire authority members and the town council. Continue reading →
April 4, 2013
The FBU is asking members to write their MP about the Westminster government’s plans for firefighters’ pensions. The government is pressing on with its Public Sector Pensions Bill, which imposes a normal pension age (NPA) of 60 on firefighters. Yet its own report published earlier this year shows most firefighters cannot work safely until that age. The report will also mean stringent fitness testing, which will result in thousands of firefighters facing the sack. That is bad for firefighters and for the service we provide to our communities. The FBU would like members to write to MPs. The easiest way is via this link to a model letter. The text is below. Continue reading →
March 28, 2013
The Fire Brigades Union is urging fire authorities and the government to learn the lessons of the Lakanal House fire, while warning that cuts to the fire service will undermine efforts to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The union was responding to the coroner’s inquest verdict published today. Continue reading →
Fire crews warn that cuts in vital frontline fire and rescue services are putting firefighters and the public at increased risk. The government’s economic austerity programme is already having a damaging affect on Norfolk’s frontline fire and rescue services and even worse is expected to come in the next spending round. Norfolk fire and rescue service is already the third poorest funded brigade for cost per head in the country and the 999 resources are being spread ever-more thinly across one of the largest and most diverse rural areas. Continue reading 
