Fire Brigades Union issues call for action

Two years after the UK’s hottest day on record, the Fire Brigades Union has called on the new Labour government to “urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety”.

The union’s appeal coincides with a yellow heat alert issued for parts of England.

As reported by the Fire Brigades Union, since 2010, the fire and rescue service has lost one in five firefighter jobs and more than 30% of its central government funding.

The union warns that as climate change accelerates, the lack of resources could result in fatalities.

Impact of past heatwaves

On 19 July 2022, temperatures soared to 40.3 degrees Celsius in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

This extreme heat led to fifteen fire and rescue services declaring major incidents due to wildfires.

Affected areas included Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, and Suffolk.

The London Fire Brigade experienced its busiest day since the Second World War.

In London, there were 2,496 calls to control, with 740 related to grass fires.

Additionally, there were 1,198 mobilisations and 500 residents were evacuated.

The London Fire Brigade ran out of fire engines, leaving 39 appliances idle due to a lack of firefighters.

Union’s concerns and government response

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, stated: “Firefighters know first-hand that the climate emergency is real and getting worse.

“Wildfires, flooding, and heat are a growing threat to lives, homes, and communities.

“But in recent years, austerity has robbed the fire and rescue service of the resources it needs to respond effectively.

“One in five firefighter jobs has been lost, hundreds of fire engines have been axed, and dozens of fire stations closed.”

Wrack added: “It is welcome that Labour has committed to introducing national standards to address fragmentation.

“But the new government must urgently invest in the fire service to protect public safety.”

Financial challenges and resource needs

The financial constraints and resource shortages faced by the fire service have raised concerns about the ability to respond to future emergencies.

The reduction in funding and personnel has left many services struggling to cope with increased demands, particularly during extreme weather events.

The union emphasises the need for a well-resourced fire service to ensure public safety and effective response to emergencies.

The call for investment is aimed at reversing the effects of austerity and ensuring the fire service can meet the challenges posed by climate change.