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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 12h

🚨 This summer, firefighters attended a devastating wildfire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, that destroyed 19 homes. Now, West Midlands FRS is proposing to cut frontline cover from 14 stations across: 📍 Birmingham 📍 Coventry 📍 Solihull 📍 Sandwell 📍 Walsall 📍 Wolverhampton

"These proposals would put our members under greater pressure, leave fire crews covering larger areas with fewer resources, and put the public at risk.

“This is not acceptable and the FBU will oppose the plans.”

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

FBU Black and ethnic minority members organised their first 'Black members' meeting', now known as BEMM school, in 1995. Retired firefighters Micky Nicholas, Les Bowman, Paul Greaves and Mark Brown were instrumental in the formation of the FBU BEMM as an official FBU section in 1999.

Michael (Micky) Nicholas, former secretary of the FBU’s black & ethnic minority members (B&EMM) section

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Today, FBU officials met ministers at the Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce, where we demanded a statutory duty for firefighters to respond to flooding in England. Urgent investment is needed to ensure firefighters have the right training and resources to keep the public safe during flooding.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

🚒 It takes nearly 10 minutes on average for a fire engine to reach you in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This is the impact of the Tories gutting the fire service and cutting 12,000 firefighter posts from 2010.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Firefighters were hospitalised with heat exhaustion this summer because they didn't have access to wildfire PPE. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on BBC file 4 Investigates.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Firefighters are already at least 2x more likely to suffer and die from cancer than the average worker. Now, due to hotter, drier summers, firefighters are exposed to bracken emissions and other toxins for months on end. Source: ITV Wales.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

George Arthur Roberts was the first Black man in the UK to serve as a firefighter in Britain during wartime. In 1919 he became heavily involved with the post-war welfare of soldiers. He led thousands of ex-servicemen in a march demanding improved rights and higher pensions.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

The UK has lost 1 in 5 firefighter posts since 2010. Meanwhile, fire and rescue incidents have risen by 22% since 2015. Now, firefighters are faced with 15 hour shifts, tackling wildfires without proper PPE or welfare facilities. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on BBC file 4 investigates.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The Stourbridge fire exposed what wildfire resilience looks like in the UK, after 19 homes were burnt to the ground. Firefighters don't have the proper PPE, training or numbers to deal with this growing risk. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on Channel 5 news.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Last week, FBU B&EMM came together for their school, marking the beginning of Black History Month. Members discussed the distinct challenges and systemic barriers that they face within the fire service. Solidarity to all B&EMM members, and we look forward to next year's school.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Gloucestershire County Council wants to strip nighttime fire cover to try and plaster over a £1.2m deficit. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of new homes are being built right next to Cheltenham. The FBU is fighting against these cuts to keep firefighters and the public safe.

Gloucestershire brigade secretary Gwyer, chair Kate Yhnell, and organiser Naomi Purvis met with general secretary Steve Wright and national officer Joe Weir.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Firefighters cannot rely on heroics to keep our communities safe. We need the equipment, training and investment to protect the public properly.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

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

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The FBU has won resounding support at Labour Party conference for the recruitment of 5000 firefighters and the introduction of nationally recognised wildfire training.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

FBU has given a statement in reaction to the Metropolitan Police submitting a Grenfell investigation file to the Crown Prosecution Service.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Resilient public services cannot be built on fragmented ownership and private profit. It must be publicly owned, properly funded and accountable to the public. FBU national officer Adam Taylor speaking at Labour conference in support of #InsourceNow

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Money for 5,000 more firefighters with the correct PPE and greater wildfire and flood resilience would cost a fraction of the £6bn earmarked for British shipyards. Resilience against climate related incidents is just as important as the UK being capable of defending itself.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Wildfires can burn for weeks on end, spread rapidly and ground temperatures can reach over 100°C. Firefighters put their health on the line by working in these extreme conditions. We’re calling on Labour to set a date for the national wildfire summit.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Labour must deliver for firefighters. Last year, the FBU stood on this platform and warned that the fire service had been cut to the bone. This year, as wildfires raged across the UK, there weren't enough firefighters or fire engines to respond to every incident.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A West Yorkshire firefighter and FBU member was seriously injured at work, struck by a passing lorry as he closed the door of his fire engine at an incident. He suffered a severe injury to his hand and, despite years of treatment, ultimately required amputation of his finger.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Firefighters battled month-long fires this summer, often without proper PPE or adequate welfare facilities. We need 5,000 more firefighters and a wildfire summit that delivers.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Firefighters are more likely to suffer or die from cancer than the average worker. The FBU is fighting for every firefighter in the UK to get regular health monitoring. Our goal is presumptive legislation, so no firefighter or their family has to fight for recognition of occupational disease.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Firefighters are significantly more likely to suffer and die from cancer than the average worker. We're demanding UK-wide health monitoring and presumptive legislation, recognising firefighter cancers as occupational diseases. And now we have the full, unanimous backing of the TUC.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The FBU has won unanimous backing from the TUC for the firefighters' concordat on health and wellbeing. We're calling for regular health monitoring for all firefighters and proper decontamination practices at every fire station in the UK.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This wildfire season, FBU members have faced the fire service's most challenging period since the Blitz. All the while, without proper PPE, welfare facilities or sufficient relief. FBU BEMM rep Dwight Williams moving an amendment to the NEU motion on Climate heat emergency.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The FBU have won backing from the TUC for a National Wildfire Summit and thousands more firefighters to tackle the growing threat of wildfires.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

For 40 years, we have been told that outsourcing, deregulation and privatisation would make services cheaper and more efficient. Instead, they have fragmented services, weakened accountability and transferred public money into private hands.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

We need to oppose the ongoing drive towards deregulation and the introduction of private profiteers into public services. FBU president Ian Murray carrying motion ‘Grenfell Tower fire 10th anniversary’

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

The FBU has won unanimous backing from the TUC for its demand that all those responsible for the Grenfell Tower fire are brought to justice. Despite next year marking a decade since 72 people lost their lives in the fire, no prosecutions have taken place.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Public and firefighter safety is being compromised by of over a decade of cuts to the Fire and Rescue Service. The FBU is calling on TUC congress to back our demands for proper investment, a UK-wide wildfire strategy and justice for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. Source: Morning Star

Morning star: Wildfire devastation should be an alarm call to action for all of us.

The wildfire summer that firefighters and fire control staff endured is still fresh in my mind during this weeks TUC Congress - FBU general secretary Steve Wright

Since 2010, the then Conservative-led government cut 12,000 firefighters creating a lack of resilience in our ability to adequately confront major incidents

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Cleveland FRS has lost 33% of its firefighters since 2010. And yet, the service plans further cuts to nighttime cover. FBU members are organised and fighting back against frontline cuts that put public safety at risk.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

2,977 people were killed, including 343 firefighters and 67 Britons, during the 9/11 terror attacks. FDNY firefighters' bravery and professionalism will never be forgotten. FBU general secretary Steve Wright will be attending a memorial event at his local fire station.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This year, firefighters from across the UK took part in the memorial stair climb, climbing 110 floors in solidarity. This was the largest international movement of firefighters for a memorial event in UK history.

Firefighters who attended from Northamptonshire.

Georgie Abbott
Ava Rawbone
Toria Hodgson
Carly Ives
Mick Titcombe
Dan Ewen
Dean Keeber
Ronnie Sherratt

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#WeRemember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks, 25 years ago today. Many more firefighters have since suffered from diseases likely linked to toxic substances present at ground zero.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Today is #999Day and we'd like to pay tribute to all emergency service workers. This summer, as firefighters tackled unprecedented wildfires, our emergency service colleagues worked side by side, supporting our members on the incident ground and protecting the public.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

FBU president Ian Murray and vice president Pete Smith attended The Fire and Rescue Service annual service of remembrance yesterday. #WeRemember every firefighter who has lost their life in the line of duty.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Firefighters have just battled a record breaking wildfire season with 12,000 fewer firefighters than in 2010. Despite a £38 million uplift from government for fire services nationally, Cleveland Fire Authority is pressing ahead with a public consultation on cuts to fire cover.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The fire service is already paper thin. Cutting nighttime cover from Cheltenham West fire station isn't efficiency; it's gambling with public and firefighter safety. Every community deserves access to reliable fire cover, no matter the time of day.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

🔥 The government has agreed to our call for a National Wildfire Summit. This is a chance for FBU members to shape what a UK-wide wildfire strategy should look like. Join us on 3 September for an FBU wildfire national meeting where we'll set our priorities and next actions.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The writing is on the wall. We need significant investment in every UK fire and rescue service to tackle the growing threat of wildfires. With more extreme weather on the horizon, we're calling for an immediate increase of 5,000 firefighters.

Source: Sky News, Data X Forensics

Map shows that every fire and rescue service in the UK has fewer firefighters than in 2010.

Source: Sky News

'We have never seen anything like this summer': How wildfire threat in UK is escalating dramatically

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

19 homes destroyed in Stourbridge, an area equivalent to 6,000 football pitches burnt in South Wales, and a wildfire in the Cairngorms that burned for 33 days. This is what 20 years of cuts to firefighters, stations and fire engines looks like.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

London control firefighters received over 2,000 calls in a single day this summer, stretching staff to breaking point as they scrambled to allocate resources. Firefighter and public safety go hand in hand. When crews lack the staffing or resources to respond to fires quickly, lives are put at risk.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The record number of wildfires this summer has meant crews were being called out of London to respond to fires in Wales. FBU London regional secretary Jon Lamb said “we do not have enough firefighters, appliances, PPE or equipment to make Londoners as safe as possible."

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Firefighters are attending major wildfire and flooding incidents without national standards in funding, crewing, or PPE. It's time for the government to properly invest in UK fire and rescue services, starting with 5,000 more firefighters. FBU general secretary Steve Wright on Channel 4 News.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Firefighters across Wales have been tackling 20 wildfires. Fire and rescue services are beyond breaking point. With flash flooding forecast in the coming weeks, firefighters won't get a chance to catch their breath. EC member for Wales Gareth Tovey on BBC radio Wales.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Firefighters control are facing an impossible dilemma. With no fire engines available, it's been a case of picking and choosing which incidents they send firefighters to. Temporary army and aircraft support won't fix chronic underfunding. We need proper long-term investment.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Our thoughts are with the firefighters in hospital with injuries caused by the Stourbridge wildfire. This is one of the most challenging periods for our members since the Blitz. The FBU will continue fighting for more firefighters, proper PPE, and resources to keep our members safe.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Footballers during the World Cup had hydration breaks every 25 minutes. Meanwhile, firefighters are working in scorching temperatures for hours at a time. We need 5,000 more firefighters, backed up by access to proper welfare and PPE.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

120 firefighters are responding to the New Forest wildfire. They're working in extremely hot and challenging conditions, and in some cases without proper wildfire PPE. Meanwhile, the rest of the county is left exposed.

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Fire Brigades Union @fbunational.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Andy Burnham's emergency Cobra meeting must address our call for 5,000 more firefighters. "Lives are being put at risk. This is only going to get worse unless we get a grip of it now and put in place a proper national strategy". FBU general secretary Steve Wright on Sky News.

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