‘The UK is dangerously underprepared,’ says Fire Brigades Union

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has declared that the UK is “dangerously underprepared” for fires, floods, and extreme weather events.

The union has urged Keir Starmer to prioritize investment in the fire and rescue service upon entering office.

The FBU’s warning highlights significant impediments to responding to national emergencies and major incidents, including wildfires, heatwaves, and flooding, due to a lack of resilience over the past two years.

Impact of cuts and deregulation

The Firefighters’ Manifesto, published by the FBU, outlines a vision for the future of the fire service, advocating for increased investment to address crises caused by resource shortages, deregulation, and budget cuts.

The manifesto calls on all parliamentary candidates to support these necessary changes.

Since 2010, the UK has seen the loss of 1 in 5 firefighter jobs, the closure of 82 fire stations, and 17 control rooms.

These reductions have contributed to a failure to meet targets for fire cover and an increase in average response times to a record nine minutes and 12 seconds in England, a rise of over a minute in the past decade.

Operational challenges

Many fire and rescue services in the UK have adopted a policy of sending out crews of three firefighters instead of the required minimum of five for incidents involving life risks.

This policy forces crews to wait for additional firefighters before responding effectively, losing valuable time in critical situations.

On 19 July 2022, the London Fire Brigade experienced its busiest day since World War II during a heatwave.

The brigade ran out of fire engines, while 39 engines remained idle due to a shortage of firefighters.

Similarly, during the flooding caused by Storm Babet in October 2023, a record 72 emergency calls went unanswered or were deferred in Northamptonshire as resources were stretched thin.

Call to action

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “When Keir Starmer enters 10 Downing Street, the crisis in the fire and rescue service will be one of the most important things in his in-tray.”

He further stated: “The UK is dangerously underprepared and under-resourced when it comes to keeping communities safe from fires, floods, and other disasters. To turn things around, we will need significant investment.”

Wrack highlighted the effects of cuts under the current government: “Under the Tories, 1 in 5 firefighter jobs have been cut, as has 30% of central government funding.

“This has led to the worst response times in history and a hollowing out of national resilience.”

He concluded: “Firefighters are regularly pushed beyond safe limits. Every day, public safety is put at risk because of a lack of resourcing. The incoming government must face the emergency.”