UK firefighters link heatwave to funding crisis

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called on the UK Government to introduce a tax on fossil fuel producers, citing rising climate-driven incidents and declining fire service capacity.

According to the FBU, the country is experiencing increasing pressure on emergency response due to frequent extreme weather, including the current heatwave pushing temperatures above 30°C in some regions.

The union stated that fire and rescue services across the UK have faced over a decade of budget cuts, with one in five firefighter roles removed since 2010 and 82 fire stations permanently closed.

The union added that incident numbers have grown by 20% since 2014, while average response times are now the slowest on record.

In July 2022, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) reported its busiest day since the Second World War during a national heatwave, with 39 fire engines left unused due to staff shortages.

Decade of cuts has reduced UK fire capacity

The Fire Brigades Union reported that approximately 12,000 firefighter posts have been lost in the past 14 years, a reduction equating to one in five frontline roles.

It noted that 17 fire control rooms have also been closed, with remaining services facing increasing demand and limited resources.

The union highlighted that this reduction in workforce has coincided with more frequent extreme weather events, requiring a higher level of readiness and coverage from fire crews.

The union pointed to a major rise in callouts, particularly during periods of high temperatures and wildfires.

It stated that this has exposed the fragility of the UK’s current fire infrastructure.

July 2022 heatwave response fell short

The Fire Brigades Union said the scale of the 2022 heatwave exposed severe operational gaps in fire service capacity.

During that period, the London Fire Brigade reported unprecedented call volume and classified it as its busiest operational day since 1945.

The FBU reported that 39 appliances were not deployed due to insufficient crew availability.

It stated that since the 1990s, average appliance response times have increased by three minutes.

According to the union, this delay can be critical in life-threatening incidents.

Firefighters join Polluters Pay Pact campaign

The Fire Brigades Union has joined the Polluters Pay Pact, an international campaign led by Greenpeace that seeks to hold fossil fuel companies financially responsible for climate-related damage.

The union joins a range of international groups including community organisations, climate campaigners and emergency responders.

The campaign’s key demand is that governments implement taxation on oil, coal and gas corporations to support climate response and public safety infrastructure.

The union said its participation reflects increasing concern among frontline responders about the gap between risk and resources.

The Polluters Pay Pact campaign has gained support from other emergency response professionals internationally.

Public support for fossil fuel tax grows

According to a Greenpeace and Oxfam global survey, 8 in 10 respondents across 13 countries support taxing fossil fuel companies to help fund climate recovery.

Greenpeace UK climate campaigner Maja Darlington said: “Fossil fuel giants are making billions fanning the flames of the climate crisis, endangering us all, while overstretched firefighters are left to battle with this chaos to keep us safe.

“This isn’t right – these big polluters can’t keep leaving others to foot the bill for cleaning up their mess.

“As more heatwaves, wildfires and floods hit the UK and countries around the world, we need well-funded, well-staffed emergency services to protect homes, businesses and lives.

“And if ministers are looking for revenue, they must tax the massive profits Big Oil is still making from cranking up the planet’s thermostat and devastating the lives of millions.”

FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “While oil and gas giants profit from pollution, firefighters are left to deal with the sharp end of the climate crisis – and all too often without the resources they need to protect lives.

“It’s frontline workers and vulnerable communities paying the price.

“Governments must get serious: make polluters pay, fund public services, and back a transition to clean, green energy.

“The UK and global leaders must be braver and bolder in holding polluters to account, starting with signing up to the principles set out in the Polluters Pay Pact.”

UK heatwave prompts call for fossil fuel tax to fund fire services: Summary

The Fire Brigades Union has called on the UK Government to tax fossil fuel companies.

The union cited the current heatwave and increasing climate incidents as the cause.

It reported that 12,000 firefighter roles have been cut since 2010.

It also reported that 82 fire stations and 17 control rooms have been closed.

Fire incident numbers have risen 20% since 2014.

Response times have increased by three minutes since the 1990s.

The union has joined the Greenpeace-led Polluters Pay Pact campaign.

A global survey commissioned by Greenpeace and Oxfam found 80% of people support taxing fossil fuel profits.

The campaign argues that these taxes should fund emergency services and climate recovery.

The Fire Brigades Union represents over 30,000 firefighters in the UK.