Fire Brigades Union

Today #WeRemember Lexi Wylie and Leonard McCartney, who lost their lives in the line of duty at the Melville Hotel fire, 21 November 1971.

A red plaque was unveiled in their honour at the site of the incident in 2022.

This is one of the richest countries on earth. There shouldn't be any hungry kids in Britain.

And you shouldn't go to bed at night wondering if a fire engine could get to you in time.

When Rachel Reeves delivers her budget next week, we will be watching.

Red Notice #1: Stop the cuts Podcast Episode · The FBU Podcast · 18/11/2025 · 1h

Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...

🎙️ New podcast alert!

FBU national officer Tam McFarlane speaks with general secretary Steve Wright, EC member Joe Weir, and brigade officials in a brand new monthly show.

This months Red Notice includes updates on cuts in Buckinghamshire, Avon and Oxfordshire.

🧵 Available on all podcast platforms

Today marks 38 years since the Kings Cross fire, which tragically killed 31 people including station officer Colin Townsley.

The blaze, caused by a discarded match, escalated quickly and over 150 firefighters responded.

Townsley was attempting a rescue when he became trapped in a flashover.

Solidarity with striking UNISON Phlebotomists ✊

FBU national officer Tam McFarlane brought the solidarity of the FBU to their rally in Gloucester today, marking 236 days of strike action - the longest-ever walkout by NHS employees.

🚨 NEW | Firefighters have been stretched to the limit, working through the night to deal with the aftermath of Storm Claudia.

But cuts have made their job much harde. A statement from FBU general secretary Steve Wright:

Full story here: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/11...

Justin Madders Labour MP attended national school yesterday to answer members questions on the funding crisis in the fire and rescue service.

Firefighters union welcomes plans to scrap controversial police commissioners, calling for scrutiny The Fire Brigades Union has responded to reports that the government plans to scrap the controversial model of police and crime commissioners.

www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/11...

In areas where Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners took over fire and rescue services, democracy and accountability went out the window.

The FBU welcomes government plans to scrap this dangerous model.

All fire and rescue services need democratic structures to hold leaders to account.

London's full fleet of fire engines were only available for 5% of shifts so far this year due to cuts to crewing.

That's just 33 shifts. The last time that every fire engine was available in London was 30 September.

This is a crisis - and next year's budget is threatening yet more cuts.

Members heard from an inspiring panel. Thank you for joining us and sharing your knowledge.
Charlotte Khan
Aziz
Wilf Sullivan

The FBU invited Care4Calais to national school this year to shed light on the reality of seeking asylum in the UK and to challenge common anti-migrant narratives.

Another successful day at national school!

FBU members are examining their power and agency as a collective to make lasting change in the fire service and wider society.

15 years of austerity has cut public services to the bone. Meanwhile the richest in our society are getting richer.

This year, FBU national school welcomed @faizashaheen.bsky.social from Tax Justice UK to speak on what a progressive tax reform could look like.

Labour must introduce a wealth tax.

StrikeMap StrikeMap

Support a strike near you: strikemap.org

@redhen90.bsky.social from Strike Map chaired an incredible panel with
Caroline Hayhurst, Gloucester phlebotomist strike
Mike Masters, Birmingham bin strike
Gary Wheeler, My CSP strike
Joel Mayfield, Sheffield bin strike

The FBU stand with you in solidarity ✊

Last night, the FBU coordinated with @strikemap.org and welcomed strikers from across the UK to share their stories and lessons learned on strike.

This years national school has officially started.

FBU reps and officials arrived yesterday and have begun discussions around the future of the fire and rescue service.

Over the next four days, members will develop campaign strategies around industrial issues that face firefighters today.

FBU lodges objection to “indefensible” and “undemocratic” plans to cut Buckinghamshire fire service The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has written to Buckinghamshire fire authority, formally objecting to proposals that would see the removal of seven retained fire engines and to close fire stations at…

The FBU have written a letter to Buckinghamshire fire authority objecting to these cuts and urges the authority to uphold democratic scrutiny, public visibility and consultation.

Full story here: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/11...

Buckinghamshire fire authority are proposing to remove seven retained fire engines and close Great Missenden and Stokenchurch fire stations.

The fire authority is scheduled to meet tomorrow to vote on whether to take the cuts to public consultation or to confer decision power to the unelected CFO.

Join the Global Day of Action! - This World Is Ours! Join the Global Day of Action On Saturday 15 November, we're coming together again for the Global Day of Action. Mobilising alongside our friends in the climate movement…

We must pressure leaders at COP30 this week to deliver an agenda for tackling the climate crisis and building resilience with proper funding in the fire service.

Join the global day of action here: climatejustice.uk/cop30/global...

Firefighters are on the frontline of the climate crisis, facing a surge in wildfires and flooding. By June 3 this year, 99 wildfires had burned over 33,000 hectares of land.

The fire service needs urgent investment to respond to climate emergencies.

Reform leader branded “captain chaos” as Kent fire authority in disarray The Fire Brigades Union has slammed the record of Reform’s ‘flagship council’ as it emerged that Kent and Medway Fire Authority was in disarray following the removal of five councillors, including…

Full story here: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/11...

Reform UK Kent council leader has been branded "Captain Chaos" after suspending nine councillors including five members of the fire authority.

The removal of fire authority members means that Kent FRS Chief Executive is unable to sign off on big spends.

"Captain Chaos" is threatening public safety

1 in 5 fire engines in London unavailable due to cuts as service faces “austerity” budget The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has issued a stark warning against proposals to further cut the “overstretched and under-resourced" London Fire Brigades’ budget next year.

Full story: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/11...

Meanwhile LFB are...
✅ Borrowing millions for estates and a new HQ
❌ Scrapping firefighters' uniform budgets
❌ Cutting investment in communication systems
❌ Delaying Grenfell recommendations

London firefighters deserve proper resources. Londoners deserve a fire service that can respond safely.

Up to 30 fire engines are unavailable each day across London due to cuts to crews.

This includes specialist fire rescue units and Turntable Ladders vital for high-rise rescue.

LFB is now proposing a further £6m in cuts and £12m unidentified "savings".

Austerity worsening bonfire night "chaos" says union, as attacks on firefighters reported The Fire Brigades Union says that firefighters are pushed "far beyond safe limits" responding to a huge number of calls on bonfire night without the resources needed.

Full story: www.fbu.org.uk/news/2025/11...

Once again, firefighters faced attacks on bonfire night. Last night, a crew of firefighters in Merseyside were attacked with fireworks while fighting a tower block fire.

The London fire brigade reported 821 calls yesterday - the highest number of bonfire night calls since 2016.