While the rest of the country tucks into their Christmas meal, or heads out for New Year's Eve, many FBU members will be keeping the public safe.
Whether you’re reading this in your living room, or in the mess on your station or control room, you have a right to be proud of the work you do.
This year has been eventful. It was also my first as general secretary. Whether it’s on cuts, shift patterns, health and safety, equalities, or the day-to-day casework, the FBU has been there, in every corner of the country.
On a national level, we are facing a fight over funding, as we push this government to deliver on its promise of change. That battle will continue in 2026, and its outcome will shape the future of our service for years to come.
This year also saw the loss of two of our members, Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan, in the line of duty at a fire in Bicester in July. Our thoughts are once again with their friends and families, and with the loved ones of all those who have lost someone, at this time of year.
Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, I wish you all the best for this festive season, and for the year ahead.
Route to Justice
On pages X and X, we give space to Anne Davies’s fight for justice for her husband, who died of cancer after many years as a firefighter. Her case is special because, in a rare move, a coroner ruled that his death was occupational. This could be significant for our wider DECON campaign, especially if Anne is successful in winning compensation. Read the piece to find out if you could help.
Together Alliance
I’m proud that the FBU has been part of launching Together – a new coalition dedicated to bringing a message of hope over fear. We will replace the politics of division with working class unity. Join us in London on 28th March for a national demonstration, and read Sounding Off on page X to find out more. As Station Cat reports on page X, Reform’s record running the fire service is woeful.
Cuts
Across the UK, firefighters are waging a battle against austerity, and it is high time that the government listened. As the climate crisis takes hold and cuts deepen, firefighters are being asked to do more with less. In this edition, we report on campaigns underway in Oxfordshire, London, Avon and Scotland – and that is just the tip of the iceberg. There is no reason why we can’t have well funded public services and decent pay – read Gregor Gall’s analysis on pages X and X.
PFCCs no more
Fire service governance isn’t the most exciting headline, but on pages X and X, you can read about a significant change – the abolition of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner model – and why it is a step in the right direction.
Happy New Year.
