Fire Brigades Union

Cuts cost lives

Listen to the FBU podcast on cuts.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0rmA...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

In parts of Scotland, first fire appliances are taking 50 minutes to arrive at incidents, while fire deaths have surged by as much as 450% in Ayrshire.

This is the cost of sustained underfunding.

🎙️FBU executive council member for Scotland, Colin Brown, on the FBU podcast

Photo by Hannah Tyler

🚒What's new in your fire service?

We want to hear what you think of any developments - the good or the bad - to training, equipment, tech and more for Firefighter magazine.

Email your thoughts to firefighter@fbu.org.uk 📨

Buckinghamshire firefighters call for investment in the fire service instead of “dangerous” cuts Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is facing the loss of eight fire engines and two fire stations under new proposals put forward by the local fire authority.

Full story here: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/10...

🚨Buckinghamshire fire authority are proposing cuts to eight fire engines and two stations, despite already losing over a third of its firefighters since 2010.

These cuts would seriously threaten public and firefighter safety. The FBU is demanding immediate investment to rebuild the service.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by the horrific events in Manchester today.

#WeRemember Stephen Neill, who lost his life in the line of duty on the 1st of October 1978. Stephen was killed by a wall collapsing while attempting to rescue another firefighter during a major warehouse fire at The Granery, St. Pancras Way.

The ceremony was attended by Mick’s family, friends, former colleagues and FBU representatives, who paid tribute to his memory and his service to the community.

Last week, we unveiled a new Red Plaque in honour of Michael 'Mick' Bird at Shepshed fire station, where he served for 21 years.

Mick died as a result of a medical emergency while in a fire engine responding to an incident on 24 September, nineteen years ago.

Austerity has left the UK in a state of ruin.

Public services cut to the bone, households struggling to pay the bills - all while the rich get richer.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright calls for a wealth tax on BBC Politics Live today

Today #WeRemember Michael Lee, who lost his life in the line of duty on the 29th of September 1969. Michael was killed by a roof collapse while searching for children believed to be trapped in a fire.

Culpable A tower block fire in the nineties should have alerted politicians to the dangers of deregulation – instead they allowed homes to become ticking time bombs.

CULPABLE

Decades of failure, deregulation and austerity led to the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.

Politicians allowed homes to become ticking time bombs. Paul Hampton uncovers a web of complicity and deceit in the new FBU book on the causes of the fire.

Read an extract here:

Cuts cost lives

Listen to the latest FBU podcast on cuts.

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0rmA...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/.../cuts-cos....

1 in 4 retained firefighters across Wales have been lost to cuts.

This has left communities without adequate fire cover. The public has a right to know - and oppose- the risks.

FBU regional secretary for Wales, Duncan Stewart Ball, on the latest FBU podcast🎙️

The UK is decades behind other countries when it comes to protecting firefighters from exposure to toxic contaminants in smoke and fire.

This is linked to our fight for 52 weeks of maternity leave - to protect mothers and babies from the health risks.

Culpable A tower block fire in the nineties should have alerted politicians to the dangers of deregulation – instead they allowed homes to become ticking time bombs.

www.fbu.org.uk/magazine/aug...

In 1991 a fire destroyed Knowsley Heights. Combustible rainscreen cladding was a key factor in the rapid spread.

The incident was played down and covered up. Deregulation under Thatcher's government allowed unsafe council blocks to be built for greater profit.

Solidarity with the Birmingham bin workers on strike!

Join the national demonstration this Saturday and march to Birmingham City Council chambers.

⏲️09:30, Unite the Union, 30 Jennens Road, Birmingham

✊

#WeRemember David Barnes and Neil Goldsmith who died in the line of duty responding to a fire in a large builders’ merchants store on 15 September 1977.

Cuts cost lives The FBU Podcast · Episode

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0rmA...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

🔥 Cuts to the fire service kill.

Across the UK, services are facing funding shortfalls of up to £800m, with more cuts on the way.

Listen to the latest FBU podcast on cuts.

Make Them Pay Billionaires have broken Britain. Make them pay to fix it

On 20 September, join the fight to #MakeThemPay. Sign up at makethempay.org.uk.

Last year, UK billionaires’ wealth grew by £35 million a day. Meanwhile, the fire service has been cut to the bone and is facing more cuts.

It's time for the richest in society to invest in public services through a wealth tax.

Cuts cost lives The FBU Podcast · Episode

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0rmA...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

While wildfire incidents hit record highs, the fire service faces devastating funding cuts. Station closures. firefighter posts cut. Lives at risk.

🎧 New FBU podcast episode exposes how 15 years of austerity is failing our communities when protection matters most.
Listen now ⬇️

Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire service announces plans to force through cuts despite agreed delay Chief fire officer Neil Odin has today sent a video message to Hampshire and Isle of Wight firefighters announcing that cuts to the service will go ahead, despite the fire authority voting to delay…

Full story here: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/09...

🚨 HIWFRS CFO forces through dangerous cuts after Fire Authority voted to DELAY them.

The fire authority have said these cuts threaten lives. HIWFRS is already on the brink - we cannot afford to lose more firefighter posts.

The FBU is urging the service to use the £23.9m reserves to plug the gap.

Clippings from Daily Mirror (Nada Farhoud)

🔥The Met Office have confirmed 2025 has been the hottest summer on record.

This comes as no surprise to firefighters who've seen a 663% increase in wildfires since last year.

The FBU are calling on billionaires to pay for the climate damage they've created. #MakeThemPay

#WeRemember Michael ‘Sonny’ Liston, who lost his life in the line of duty on this day in 1994.

Michael suffered fatal inhalation of phosphene gas, released by smouldering chemicals stored in the building.

Fire service procedures for hazardous substances changed nationally because of the incident.

MPs urged to fight for funding as fire authority gives extra time to find cash After a campaign by firefighters, Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire authority voted today to delay cuts to frontline firefighter posts, giving time to find additional resources.

Full story: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/08...