International

Firefighters demand greater protection from exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxics

04 Feb, 2019 By infobo

Several studies show that public authorities and employers are falling short on their responsibility to sufficiently protect firefighters from the risk of exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxics (CMRs). This means that firefighters are doubly at risk – not only from the nature of their...

Firefighters’ union calls on Foreign Secretary to intervene in rescue workers’ being held ‘hostage’

31 Jan, 2019 By Anna Zych

A firefighter and FBU member is among rescue workers being held ‘hostage’ off the coast of Sicily by the Italian government. Brendan Woodhouse, a firefighter for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, gives up his holiday to rescue refugees crossing the Mediterranean, in often dangerous conditions...

Firefighter magazine, October/November 2018

11 Dec, 2018

As part of the union’s centenary year, the Firefighter has included features on major fires where the FBU has played a crucial role in securing new fire safety regulations. In this issue, Helen Hague writes about the Kings Cross fire. Also in this issue, David Wibberley writes about the health...

Firefighter magazine

Residency and rights - UK nationals/EU citizens

28 Sep, 2018

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Dear Brother / Sister RESIDENCY AND RIGHTS – UK NATIONALS/EU CITIZENS Members will recall that the union wrote to the Prime Minister on 26 February in respect of both EU/EEA citizens resident in the...

Now and always, resistance!

25 Apr, 2018 By Riccardo La Torre

Firefighters and trade unionists were essential in liberating Italy from fascism. Their history needs to be remembered, writes Riccardo La Torre "The firemen will be there, again in front rank. We will have learnt in the Fire Brigades Union the lessons which must be applied to society as a whole. We...

Solidarity with the firefighters of Barcelona

18 Aug, 2017

You can download a letter from Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, to the trade union that represents firefighters in Spain paying tribute to their work and their country in the wake of terror attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils.

First man to row the black sea - on borrowed time

17 May, 2017 By Lynne Wallis

For a man who can’t remember his watch, Berkshire firefighter Scott Butler recalls a lot of special ‘moments’ – he spoke to Lynne Wallis. Firefighter Scott Butler, who works on white watch at Wokingham, Berkshire, relishes new experiences so much he set himself a challenge to do something new every...

EPSU solidarity letter in response to the Westminster terror attack

23 Mar, 2017

You can download from this page a letter from EPSU in response to the Westminster terror attacks, March 2017. Below is the text of the letter. *** Dear Colleagues, On a day we were remembering what happened last year in Brussels, and has happened since, it was sad to get the news of the terror...

Firefighters under occupation

16 Mar, 2017 By William Murphy

Lack of even the most basic firefighting equipment prompted the FBU to contact Palestinian firefighters several years ago. Now a new film traces what happened when one FBU member returned. William Murphy spoke to him. The authorities in Israel had no problem with some FBU members flouting the...

Refugees risking it all

16 Dec, 2016 By William Murphy

The inside account of one retained firefighter’s month-long deployment to the frontline of Europe’s refugee crisis. William Murphy reports. Four days go by without any action. A storm raging over the Mediterranean has interrupted the smugglers’ schedule of boat launches. Then, on the fifth day, a...

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