Local government

The Fire Brigades Union has condemned proposals by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to close 12 fire stations, remove 18 fire engines and slash around 400 firefighter jobs. The plans – which were disclosed today – come as a result of the mayor’s desire to save more than £50m over two years. The...

Fire engines could soon be off the road in Surrey because of acute crew shortages caused by lack of investment by Surrey County Council, the Fire Brigades Union has warned. Richard Jones, FBU Surrey brigade secretary said: “We need investment now to ensure that the fire service provides the five...

The long-running industrial dispute in Essex fire and rescue service has been brought to an end following months of detailed negotiations. Fire crews voted 2 to 1 to accept the settlement terms negotiated and recommended by their union leaders. Keith Handscomb, FBU executive council member: “This...

Following the news that AssetCo, the company which owned and controlled all London’s fire engines, has sold them to investment company AB&A in order to help pay its debts, the Fire Brigades Union today accused the London Fire Brigade and the Fire Authority of incompetence and having “handed over...

Fire Brigade effectively admits it can’t provide comprehensive protection for Devon and Somerset after jobs cull. Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) has been caught trying to recruit firefighters from among its existing workforce, to work casual shifts on the River Parrett in...

On the 7th June the chairman of East Sussex Fire Authority, Councilor John Livings issued a communication regarding cuts to the establishment within East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. East Sussex FBU wrote on the 8th June 2012 of their concerns over further reductions in posts. Within East Sussex...

The Fire Brigades Union representing fire crews in both Cambridgeshire and Suffolk have urged extreme caution over proposals for a merger between the two fire and rescue services. Whilst the proposals are in their very early stages the unions alarm bells are ringing at what any future merger would...