Today, Wednesday 1 November, hundreds of firefighters and control staff will assemble in Westminster to launch a new ‘Firefighters’ Manifesto’.
As the country recovers from flooding, and braces for the realities of climate change, the union warned that politicians must “listen to the voice of the frontline” if they want to “avert catastrophe”.
The Firefighters’ Manifesto outlines the devastating impact of the past 13 years of austerity on the fire and rescue service, including:
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1 in 5 firefighter jobs cut
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A 30% cut in central government funding in cash terms
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Record high response times
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Dozens of fire stations closed
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Dangerously overstretched responses to floods, wildfires and other weather events
The manifesto demands:
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An immediate injection of cash into the fire and rescue service
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National standards on response times and crewing
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A new statutory advisory body to set policy and standards, with a seat at the table for firefighters
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A series of measures to ensure safe housing for all, pushing back against deregulation
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Climate action, with resources and coordination to safeguard against flooding and extreme weather events
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Progress on equalities, fire contaminants and democratic accountability
Firefighters will travel from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to join the rally at Methodist Central Hall. They will be addressed by prominent political and trade union figures.
Firefighters in uniform will then take part in a series of stunts around the Westminster area.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
The fire and rescue service is in crisis. To avoid catastrophe, politicians must start listening to the voice of the frontline.
Firefighters are there in our time of need, and climate change means there is an urgent requirement to build resilience in the fire and rescue service, as recent flooding has illustrated.
But every year it’s getting harder to protect our communities. One in five firefighter jobs has been cut since 2010. Response times are at record highs, and firefighters are regularly pushed beyond safe limits.
Meanwhile, decades of deregulation have created the conditions for tragedies, putting safety in homes and workplaces on the line.
Today, firefighters will travel from all over the UK to send a clear message to the next Westminster government, in an extraordinary display of dedication to our service.
Firefighters are committed to saving lives. We’re calling on politicians to answer this emergency call.”
