The Fire Brigades Union has announced a nationwide “Ring of Fire” tour of the UK to highlight the devastating impact the government’s austerity agenda is having on the fire and rescue service.
The 20 date tour, which kicks off in Liverpool on 9 September, will promote the union’s recently published report Sounding the alarm: the future of the fire and rescue service which has found funding for the service has been cut by more than 20% during this parliament, that 5000 frontline firefighter jobs have been cut and 999 emergency response times have increased significantly.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Firefighters want to warn the public about the threat to the UK fire and rescue service from central government cut backs.
“Firefighters want to continue doing a great job but their profession is being undermined by deep cuts to the service.
“I urge the public to come to their local event and talk to firefighters about the threat to their profession.”
Along the tour, firefighters will be joined by special guests including local politicians, singers and comedians to make the event a special day out for all the family.
Entry to the event is free and each event will kick off from midday.
The tour dates are below:
Tuesday 9 September – Liverpool – Outside BT Convention Centre, Kings Dock, Liverpool, L3 4FP
Thursday 11 September – Glasgow – St Enochs Square, Glasgow, G1 4DH
Friday 12 September – Sunderland – Market Square, Sunderland, SR1 3LH
Saturday 13 September – Redcar – King Edward Memorial Clock, Redcar High Street, Redcar
Monday 15 September – York – St Sampsons Square, York, YO1 8RN
Tuesday 16 September – Leeds – Briggate, Leeds, L1 6BG
Thursday 18 September – Leicester – Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 1WB
Friday 19 September – Birmingham – Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP
Saturday 20 September – Hereford – Old Market, Newmarket street, Hereford, HR 4 9HR
Monday 22 September – Manchester – Barbirolli Square, Manchester, M2 3AB
Tuesday 23 September – Aylesbury – Market Square, HP20 1TW
Wednesday 24 September – Watford TBC
Thursday 25 September – Great Yarmouth – Market Place, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1LX
Friday 26 September – London – Riverside Grass (Just by London ITV studios) South Bank, London SE1 9LT
Saturday 27 September – Brighton – New Road, Brighton, BR1
Tuesday 30 September – Portsmouth – Guildhall, Portsmouth, PO1 2AB
Wednesday 1 October – Plymouth – Armada Way, off Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2HJ
Thursday 2 October – Cardiff – Roald Dahl Plass, Oval Basin, Cardiff Bay, CF10 6AN
Friday 3 October – Bristol – Castle Park, Broadweir, Bristol
You can follow the FBU Ring of Fire tour twitter page here.
