Around a thousand firefighters have rallied today in central London to demand that the new government take urgent measures to rebuild the fire and rescue service.
The rally, organised by the Fire Brigades Union, drew attendance from firefighters and fire control staff across the UK.
Speakers included Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, rank and file firefighters, MPs, and international speakers representing firefighters in Greece and Italy.
During 14 years of Conservative rule, the fire service lost 1 in 5 firefighter jobs, and 30% of its central government funding. Response times rose steadily to their worst ever level.
Decades of fragmentation have also created a postcode lottery on fire cover, with no national standards covering issues such as crewing, response times, equipment, training, and so on.
Labour promised in its manifesto to re-introduce national standards in the fire and rescue service, and to repeal the latest anti-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
Following the rally, hundreds of firefighter proceeded to Westminster to lobby their MPs.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, 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”.
