Firefighters face rising battery and climate risks, says FBU
Iain Hoey
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Lithium battery incidents growing across UK
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright has called for greater investment in fire and rescue services to address the increasing risks posed by lithium-ion batteries and climate-related events.
According to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the comments follow recent data from the Office for Product Safety and Standards showing at least 211 fires involving e-scooters and e-bikes were recorded in 2024. In 2020, the figure was 26.
The majority of incidents occurred in London, but the figures are based on voluntary reporting by fire and rescue services, meaning the national total is likely higher.
The union said lithium-ion battery fires pose specific hazards, including the release of flammable gases and the potential for explosion.
These incidents are taking place alongside a documented rise in wildfires and flood responses, which the FBU linked to climate change.
Union cites cuts and slower response times
The Fire Brigades Union said that cuts to the fire service have weakened its ability to respond to modern risks.
According to the FBU, one in five firefighter posts has been lost in England since 2010.
It said these reductions have contributed to a three-and-a-half-minute increase in average response times since the mid-1990s.
Wright said: “Our equipment needs to keep pace with the advances in technology, and so does the training of firefighters that’s been cut over the years. Cars are more advanced, and lithium-ion battery risks are going up.”
He added: “Attendance to climate-related incidents has increased. I know there are climate change deniers in Reform, and I would love to have that argument all day with them because I’ve been on the front line. We’re attending more floods, more wildfires.”
Wright continued: “And because we are taking three-and-a-half minutes longer [to respond] compared with the mid-90s, fires are more developed. Firefighters’ safety has been compromised with the safety of members of the public.”
Lithium-ion fires pose new response challenges
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters have been the cause of multiple fire fatalities in the UK.
These fires are difficult to extinguish and can re-ignite after being put out, the FBU explained.
The union also said these batteries can produce high temperatures and flammable gases, increasing the risk to both firefighters and the public.
It added that further investment in training and equipment is necessary to handle these incidents safely.
Climate-related incidents on the rise
The FBU linked increases in flooding and wildfires to climate change, stating that UK fire services are dealing with a wider range of incident types.
Wright said fire crews have seen more climate-driven emergencies in recent years.
He added that firefighters are now regularly deployed to incidents beyond traditional structure fires, which increases the demand on personnel and resources.
The FBU said more comprehensive planning and investment is needed to prepare for ongoing environmental changes.
Response time delays could increase risk
The union cited government figures showing a substantial increase in average fire service response times over recent decades.
According to the FBU, the additional minutes can lead to more fully developed fires and increased hazards for both firefighters and civilians.
It said that this makes adequate staffing levels and resource investment essential for public safety.
Firefighters face rising battery and climate risks, says FBU: Summary
Steve Wright of the Fire Brigades Union has warned that firefighters face growing risks from lithium-ion battery incidents and climate-related emergencies.
According to the Office for Product Safety and Standards, at least 211 e-bike and e-scooter fires were reported in 2024.
The FBU said that this represents a steep increase from 26 fires in 2020.
Most recorded incidents took place in London, but the total is likely higher due to voluntary reporting.
Lithium-ion fires are difficult to manage and can release flammable gases, according to the union.
The FBU said that response times in England have increased by over three minutes since the 1990s.
It attributed this to a 20 percent reduction in firefighter numbers since 2010.
Steve Wright said that fire crews are increasingly responding to floods and wildfires.
He added that more investment is needed in equipment and training.
The FBU has called for further support to address emerging risks.