Firefighters are facing the busiest night of the year without the resources needed to keep the public safe, the Fire Brigades Union has warned.
Bonfire night typically sees fire and rescue services respond to a huge number of calls, tackling dangerous fires and firework related incidents.
While responding to incidents, firefighters face an increasing risk of attacks. In England, Home Office figures record 967 attacks on firefighters over the year 2023-2024, a 60% increase compared to attacks a decade prior.
Meanwhile, one-in-five firefighter jobs (21%) across the UK have been cut since 2010 – more than 12,000 jobs.
This has had a significant impact on the resilience of the fire and rescue service, slowing response times down and leaving the service without urgent capacity during busy periods.
The Fire Brigades Union has called on the government to provide investment needed to rebuild the fire and rescue service.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:
As thousands of us enjoy firework displays this season, firefighters will be working round the clock to keep the public safe. Bonfire night is one of the busiest nights of the year for the fire and rescue service, with fire crews attending a huge range of incidents.
"These dangers come with a spike in the number of appalling attacks on firefighters, which have increased significantly as community engagement projects and youth services have been cut. Austerity has already left firefighters working under immense pressure without enough resources: this is the last thing they need.Since 2010, we have lost 1 in 5 firefighters to cuts. Central government funding has been slashed by 30%. As firefighters steel themselves for the first of many calls tonight, the government must commit to the investment needed to rebuild the fire and rescue service.”
