Cuts

The FBU has won its fight to maintain night time fire cover at two stations, and has increased the number of fire engines in the region from 26 to 30. The locally run campaign opposed cuts proposed by the fire authority to remove night time fire cover, and achieved widespread political and public...

Firefighters are expected to do more with less, putting public safety at risk, says Fire Brigades Union. In response to a question from Shadow Fire Minister Karen Lee, the Minister (Nick Hurd) stated that attendance at fire incidents is decreasing, yet Home Office figures reveal that fire incidents...

Today, firefighters in Tyne and Wear, learned that the documentation that was given to the fire authority for scrutiny prior to agreeing it for public consultation, contained major mistakes. Brigade secretary Russ King said: “Firefighters are absolutely shocked and dismayed at the lack of scrutiny...

Firefighters expressed both shock and anger at the announcement from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority (TWFRA) that due to government cuts to the tune of £3.6m they intend to make further cuts to an already dangerously depleted service. At a fire authority meeting this week they agreed to a...

Today, as the Scottish Parliament debates attacks on emergency service workers and thanks them for all the work they do - the Fire Brigades Union condemns verbal and physical attacks on firefighters during one of the busiest periods of the year. This year, on bonfire night, Operational Fire Control...

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 means...

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), with 421...

Firefighters dealt with more incidents, more fires and saw more fire deaths last year than for most of the last decade in England, yet the Westminster government continues to starve fire authorities of the central funding necessary to keep the public safe. Fire deaths in England increased sharply...