Around one thousand firefighters attended a rally in central London, prior to lobbying their respective MPs, urging the new Labour Government to take immediate and urgent action to "rebuild" the Fire and Rescue Service. Organised by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the event attracted firefighters and Control Room staff from across the UK, highlighting the pressing concerns within the service.
In its General Election Manifesto, the Labour Party promised to re-introduce national standards in the Fire and Rescue Service and to repeal the latest “anti-Trade Union” laws.
The FBU is calling for:
- Investment: a boost to funding for the fire service to deliver a resilient, effective fire service
- National standards: on issues such as crewing, response times, equipment, training, health and safety and equalities
- Workers’ rights: the implementation in full of the New Deal for Working People, including the repeal of the latest Tory anti-union laws
Speaking to the firefighters assembled, FBU General Secretary, Matt Wrack said:
“Today’s rally sent a firm message to the government that the fire service is in crisis. After 14 years of Tory corruption and austerity, lives are being put at risk by a lack of proper resources. Climate change will make the situation worse.
Decades of fragmentation have also created a postcode lottery on fire cover. If you call a fire engine now, it’s pot luck how many firefighters will be on board or how quickly it will arrive.
The solutions to this crisis are neither complicated nor expensive. We need investment to rebuild our fire service, and national standards informed by a statutory advisory body with firefighters at the table. We also look forward to the implementation of the New Deal for Working People, including the repeal of the latest Tory anti-union laws”.
Following the rally, hundreds of firefighters proceeded to Westminster to lobby their respective MPs.
Source: FBU