Publications

The main focus of this issue of Firefighter is on climate change, illustrated by a photo essay showing the devastation caused by the increased flooding and wildfires in recent years, and the big implications of COP26 to firefighters. This year’s FBU photo competition winners are announced…

Since 2010, around 12,000 firefighter jobs have been cut across the UK – almost one-in-five (20%) of the total number of jobs, a travesty without precedent in the history of the fire and rescue service. The reduction of firefighter and emergency control staff jobs are now putting public and...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has issued a new policy on breathing apparatus safety procedures, allowing firefighters fighting fires in tall buildings to be deployed beyond the bridgehead wearing breathing apparatus, but not under air. This is dangerous for both firefighters' health and...

There are too few firefighters to guarantee resilience after the COVID pandemic and more than a decade of austerity according to new figures obtained by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). One-in-five firefighter jobs (20%) across the UK have been cut since 2010. This has had a huge impact on the...

This issue of Firefighter was largely dedicated to the launch of the FBU’s DECON campaign, with guidance on what to do to protect yourself, your family and your colleagues. It also featured a lesson from history - the 1991 Gillender Street fire and the importance of breathing apparatus safety…

This issue of Firefighter features trailblazing, hijab wearing firefighter Uroosa Arshid, who says firefighters can look like me; the union’s first virtual one day conference with guest speaker NEU general secretary Kevin Courtney, speaking against pay review bodies; the union’s safety victory on...

In March, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced plans to consult on possible changes to fire governance. The Home Secretary proposed consulting this summer on “whether to mandate the transfer of fire and rescue functions to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner model across England where boundaries...

On 17 March, the chief inspector of fire & rescue services in England, Tom Winsor, published his second annual State of Fire and Rescue report. It is yet another attack on firefighters. The report is thin on evidence, but packed with unsubstantiated assertions, together with damaging recommendations...

April/May Firefighter has a double feature on the upcoming fight against the government’s attack on firefighters and their Grey Book, and lays out the reasons why firefighters must speak up and make their voice heard to protect ‘our say in our service’ and hard won terms and conditions. “A reckless...

Trade unions in the UK have long been under attack from employers and the state, including the whole range of laws that restrict our rights and abilities to operate freely and effectively. These legal restrictions are unjust. They reflect the fact that we live in an unequal society where the law...