News

Hertfordshire’s politicians have revealed that they plan to make a further round of cuts to the county’s fire and rescue service despite the government commitment to ‘end austerity’. The draft integrated risk management plan (IRMP) for the next five years sets out a raft of proposals that...

The public must show extra caution with fireworks and bonfires after the loss of 500 firefighters in England in the last year has left services struggling, their union said. In a safety warning issued ahead of bonfire night, the Fire Brigades Union said the loss of professionals and services...

The Tory government continues to cut firefighter jobs in England, despite the service dealing with more incidents, more fires, and more fire deaths. Since 2009, the number of firefighters has decreased by 23%.   As of 31 March 2018, there were 32,340 firefighters (full time equivalent),...

The largest ever ceremonial event for firefighters killed in the line of duty will take place in London on 13 October in a once in a generation event. As part of celebrations to mark 100 years since the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) was formed, the day will begin with a formal wreath-laying ceremony...

The government’s announcement of a partial ban on the future use of some flammable cladding does not go far enough, according to the Fire Brigades Union. Matt Wrack FBU general secretary said: “This is not the outright ban on combustible cladding that firefighters have been calling for. The...

A plaque is to be unveiled at a historic fire station this Saturday in memory of a Leeds firefighter who lost his life defending the city from air-raid fires during the Second World War. Solomon Belinsky, a Russian-born upholsterer from east Leeds, was one of 3,847 men and women who volunteered...

Every aspect of fire safety in Grenfell Tower failed long before 14 June 2017, the leader of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) told delegates at the annual TUC conference in Manchester today (10 Sept).  Speaking in support of the FBUs motion on the fire, where 72 people lost their lives,...

A new memorial plaque has been unveiled at Peterlee fire station to honour the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters John Donley and Tony Hall on the anniversary of their deaths. The County Durham firefighters, 26 and 24 respectfully, died when their fire appliance overturned in Front Street,...

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has withdrawn an application to take over the governance of Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) in a move welcomed by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). David Lloyd’s decision falls hot on the heels of a public meeting held in Hatfield last...

Firefighters from the West Midlands will join anti-racist demonstrators on 1 September to oppose a planned rally of the English Defence League (EDL). The Rally Against Hate, organised by the Worcester Trades Union Council, has been called in opposition to a ‘national event’ that the fascist EDL...