Advice and answers to your questions on coronavirus and the fire and rescue services.
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.
As a core emergency service, it is essential that firefighters maintain their health.
The Government and the NHS announced significant new measures and advice for containing the virus which you must follow.
The FBU has worked with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the local government fire and rescue service employers to agree a national framework for how firefighters will be able to respond to the crisis.
Firefighters are now permitted to:
The measures are temporary to respond to the coronavirus outbreak and will be in place until 15 July. The Tripartite Group have raised concerns about risk assessments varying between brigades. National risk assessments will now be produced for all fourteen agreed activities, to be implemented locally by fire and rescue services. If successful, the agreement will be extended until 26 August.
Services are forbidden from taking these temporary measures as permanent changes to employment terms and conditions.
New duties must be subject to a risk assessment, training if needed, and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Firefighters and control staff provide a core emergency service and need to be protected from COVID-19 infection as far as possible.
We are aware that a significant number of staff are in self-isolation and are therefore unable to work. We have called on all governments to prioritise testing of fire and rescue personnel for coronavirus, along with colleagues in other emergency services.
We have also secured measures to prevent cross-infection between fire and rescue personnel and the public, agreed with the NFCC and employers. Services should now:
This came after the FBU called for services to cease all non-emergency interactions with the public where there is not an immediate or imminent safety imperative.
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On 14 June 2017, the fire at Grenfell Tower claimed the lives of 72 people and devastated a close-knit community in the heart of London. Two years on, the bereaved, survivors and residents are still waiting for justice.
Grenfell Never AgainOur campaign fire engine travels around the country attending demonstrations, rallies and events on issues ranging from local fire service cuts to climate change. With a platform and fully-functioning PA sound system, it is a fantastic tool for our members, and others in the Labour and trade union movement, to get their message across loud and clear to key stakeholders and the public.
Campaign Fire EngineOn 11 September 2015, the government set out plans to enable Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to take over the fire and rescue service.
Firefighters provide a humanitarian service, they are not agents of the state nor are they law enforcers. Firefighters play a neutral role in our communities.
No to PCC takeoverThe FBU keep Members of Parliament updated with the issues and challenges facing the UK’s firefighters through its Fire and Rescue Service Matters parliamentary bulletin.
Fire and Rescue Service MattersEngland is now the only nation in the U.K. where firefighters are not given a statutory duty to respond to flooding incidents.
The FBU argues that a statutory duty for firefighters to attend floods would help fire and rescue services, other emergency services and the government as a whole to plan effectively and reduce risk to life and property. Such a duty has already been adopted in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Flooding dutyFirefighters from across the UK are campaigning to protect their local fire and rescue services, many of which are on the receiving end of record funding cuts as a result of government imposed austerity.
You can find a selection of some of the campaigns being run by FBU branches from across the UK.
Local campaigns
