Meet the rep

What made you want to become a rep? We were facing significant changes within our fire and rescue service, and I wanted to make sure that we had a voice as the frontline - so that instead of being passive, we could shape those changes as a collective. What are the major issues impacting members in...

Jamie (Ted) McDonald, branch rep, Lochgelly, Scotland What made you want to become a rep? In 2023, I was part of the campaign against ‘temporary cuts’ being forced through without public consultation in Scotland. I then transferred to Lochgelly fire station and learned what being an FBU rep is all...

What made you want to become a rep? I'm naturally drawn towards helping people. I’ve been told I am “incredibly driven and strong for so many people”, and that I am “unrelenting on issues – when most people would fold”, which may sum it up. What has been your proudest moment? My first discipline...

What made you want to become a rep? I’ve always believed in fairness, and becoming a rep has given me tools to challenge inequality, protect members, and push for change in the fire service. What has been your proudest moment as a rep? Being in a position to represent Black and ethnic minority...

What made you want to become a rep? I transferred to Mid and West Wales five years ago. There was no FBU rep at my station. Having started my career in Essex, seeing the benefit of the union and how important it is to have a functioning branch I stepped up to be the rep – and haven’t looked back...

Kate Yhnell, Gloucestershire organiser and South West women’s rep 1. What made you want to become a rep? I wanted to support firefighters and their families. When the person who had been leading the union locally for a long time retired, someone had to step up. I figured that you can’t always have...

Meet Matthew Black LGBT+ rep, North West region 1.What made you want to become a rep? Coming to terms with being gay in my early teens set me on a path of standing up against injustices – dealing with discrimination, challenging discriminatory legislation, and supporting the fight for equal marriage...

1. What made you want to become a rep? The current rep left the service, and control were heading into the biggest fight Essex control has seen. I had only been in the service a couple of years, but I have always been one to stand up for what is right, and taking on the role just felt right. It was...

1. What made you want to become a rep? John McKenzie and Gus Sproul cornered me! Jokes aside, I was at a local branch meeting and raised a few issues that we were on my mind relating to H&S within the station. A lot of things were happening that should have been picked up on. We did not have an H&S...

Dave Turner, regional education and learning organiser and treasurer for the South East region, brigade organiser for Kent, and branch secretary for Herne Bay 1. What made you want to become a rep? I attended my first FBU rally in 2013 in London on the pensions dispute which inspired me to do more...