Join the fight for our future
The Firefighters’ Manifesto sets out a clear vision for the fire and rescue service: a resilient, joined-up service with the resources it needs and a seat at the table for firefighters.
Download policy briefings, posters and leaflets
Read the Firefighters’ Manifesto in full
Every firefighter in the UK should lobby decision-makers now to back The Firefighters’ Manifesto. To win, we need to focus our message on three core demands:
FUNDING
Since 2010, central fire funding has been cut by 30% in cash terms. 1 in 5 firefighter jobs have been lost. To safeguard the future of the fire service, these cuts need to be reversed. We demand immediate investment in our life-saving service.
STANDARDS
Response times are now at record highs. Crewing levels are getting worse all the time. Climate change means we need to build resilience in our fire service. To ensure public safety, we need national standards on response times and crewing, properly enforced.
A FAIR SAY
Firefighters are the experts on our industry, committed to protecting our communities. But we are shut out of key discussions, while the NFCC has put firefighters in danger and failed to stand up for our service.
To create the policies and standards that will improve the fire service, a new statutory advisory body must be established – composed of the key organisations across the fire service, including the FBU.
WHAT ARE WE DEMANDING?
Every day, firefighters save lives. They run towards dangers when others are running away.
But the fire and rescue service is in crisis. One in five firefighter jobs has been cut since 2010, and real terms pay is down by at least 12%. Every year, it gets harder to do our jobs.
While extreme weather events get more common, our resources have been cut. While firefighters die from cancer, the UK is decades behind other countries on tackling fire contaminants.
Firefighters have had enough. Last year’s pay campaign showed that when we stand together, we can shift our employers and the government.
But now we need to do something much bigger: we need to win a future for the fire and rescue service.
It is likely that there will soon be a change of government, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to put forward our case for jobs, investment and a fire and rescue service that is fit for the future.
Our demands
- Investment: stop and reverse the cuts to jobs
- Fair pay: delivered through collective bargaining
- National standards: on response times and crewing
- A voice for firefighters: a new forum to set policy and standards
- Climate action: a service fit for floods and extreme weather events
- Democratic public service: accountable to our communities
- Equality: an inclusive service, open to everyone
- Decon: health monitoring and recognition of occupational disease
- The right to strike: scrap the anti-union laws
- Occupational pensions: recognising the realities of firefighting
All politicians can sign up now to support The Firefighters’ Manifesto by emailing [email protected]
