The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has today contacted every MP in the UK to spread the word that in spite of the government’s constant ‘fires are down’ mantra which is being used to justify cuts, firefighters rescued more people over the last year than ever before.
The findings are part of new research carried out by the firefighters’ union, which shows that over 40,000 people were rescued by firefighters between April 2015 and March 2016, making a 16% increase on the previous year.
The new figures equate to around 3,400 rescues a month, or 100 rescues a day. Of the total figure, almost 4,000 people were rescued from fires, making non fire rescues nine times the size of rescues from fires. These rescues include floods, hazardous chemical spillages, road traffic collisions and lift rescues. For every fire death that occurs, firefighters rescue ten times as many people from fires.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said “These new findings reflect the ever widening range of activities that modern day firefighters now undertake. This significant increase shows that the work of firefighters is more diverse now than ever. We are very proud that our members are rescuing record numbers of people.
“Yet the government wants to cut the service further, on top of almost 10,000 firefighter job losses since 2010 and more than 40 station closures. Firefighters have helped to reduce the incidence of fires in part through all the educational and community work they do and, as these figures show, fires are now a relatively small part of the bigger rescue picture. The fires are down mantra can no longer be used to claim that fire and rescue cuts are justified. The role of the professional modern day firefighter is evolving, and whilst fires are down, non-fire rescues are up so this doesn’t mean the service needs less funding.”
Other reasons for fewer fires are long-term societal trends, better regulation, improved community safety and other activities, all campaigned for and carried out by firefighters.
