Firefighter numbers have reached a new low since the beginning of austerity in 2010. One in five firefighter roles which existed in 2010 no longer exist, according to figures released this week, with a fall in numbers of 11,680 since…
Gillender Street fire 30th anniversary calls for safety advances to be preserved
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has spoken out on the 30th anniversary of the Gillender Street fire in Tower Hamlets, London. Two firefighters died in the fire after running out of air. Wrack has personal links to the…
40th anniversary of New Cross fire: Fire Brigades Union comment
On the 40th anniversary of a fire during a house party in New Cross, South East London, that killed 13 young black people, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called the incident a ‘tragedy’ that takes on new relevance in…
Fire service bosses pull out of Covid-19 agreement
Fire and rescue service employers have unilaterally scrapped a groundbreaking agreement with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) which had enabled firefighters to assist the NHS and care-sector response to Covid-19. Negotiations over health and safety measures for firefighters delivering high-risk…
Urgent action needed to protect firefighters from risk of getting cancer, scientists find
Ground-breaking research has revealed the serious health risks to UK firefighters following exposure to toxic fire effluents, the chemicals emitted during a fire, in an independent University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) report commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The…
Public sector pay: firefighters won’t stand for “divide and rule” tactics from government
Responding to leaked reports of government plans to freeze public sector pay, Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “We warned ministers in the summer that clapping key workers would not pay the bills – but it seems in government memories…
Firefighters call for Grenfell Inquiry to investigate “revolving door” between manufacturers and regulators
Former Chief Executive of company which produced flammable insulation chaired the board of supposedly independent regulator Government changes to building safety guidance risk repeating mistakes made by companies responsible for allowing deadly Grenfell refurbishment, FBU says The Grenfell Tower Inquiry…
Safety Fears Loom Over Non-Firefighter Managers In Fire Service
Fears have been raised over East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) appointing staff with no experience of firefighting to key operational positions. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has warned the safety of firefighters and the public is being jeopardised…
Firefighters in the West Midlands to ballot for strike action
Firefighters and emergency control operators in the West Midlands will ballot for strike action in an escalating row over the imposition of new contracts, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said today. Contracts introduced by West Midlands Fire Authority mean…
FBU Warns Isle of White Council Against Adopting Fire Service Proposals Over Safety Fears
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is urging the Isle of Wight’s council cabinet to reject a controversial review of the fire service that would put public safety at risk. The fire service review contains plans to cut the number of…